Automatic Extraction of Vertebral Endplates from Scoliotic Radiographs Using Customized Filter

Anitha H.,Karunakar A. K.,Dinesh K. V. N. 대한의용생체공학회 2014 Biomedical Engineering Letters (BMEL) Vol.4 No.2

Purpose The scoliosis diagnosing system needs radio-graphicinformation in terms of spinal curvature estimated usingCobb’s definition. The evaluation process and treatmentanalysis depends on the reliability and reproducibility of thespine curvature in the frontal view. Methods Manual identification of end vertebrae and otheranatomical features required for the estimation of spinalcurvature causes variability and unreliability at higher rate. This paper proposes an automated system to extract therequired anatomical features using customized filter. Thecustomized filter used in this paper is a combination ofanisotropic, sigmoid and differential filter. Combination ofthese filters automatically extracts the anatomical features interms of required vertebral endplates. Automatic identificationof these endplates eliminates the human intervention involvedin the quantification of Cobb angle. Results and Conclusions Analysis of the results revealssignificant difference between the observer variabilitybetween manual, computer assisted and computerized imageunderstanding system in terms of inter and intra crosscorrelation coefficient ratio (ICCR).

Comparative Reverse Screening Approach to Identify Potential Anti-neoplastic Targets of Saffron Functional Components and Binding Mode

Bhattacharjee, Biplab,Vijayasarathy, Sandhya,Karunakar, Prashantha,Chatterjee, Jhinuk Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.11

Background: In the last two decades, pioneering research on anti-tumour activity of saffron has shed light on the role of crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal, as broad spectrum anti-neoplastic agents. However, the exact mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Identification and characterization of the targets of bioactive constituents will play an imperative role in demystifying the complex anti-neoplastic machinery. Methods: In the quest of potential target identification, a dual virtual screening approach utilizing two inverse screening systems, one predicated on idTarget and the other on PharmMapper was here employed. A set of target proteins associated with multiple forms of cancer and ranked by Fit Score and Binding energy were obtained from the two independent inverse screening platforms. The validity of the results was checked by meticulously analyzing the post-docking binding pose of the picrocrocin with Hsp90 alpha in AutoDock. Results: The docking pose reveals that electrostatic and hydrogen bonds play the key role in inter-molecular interactions in ligand binding. Picrocrocin binds to the Hsp90 alpha with a definite orientation appropriate for nucleophilic attacks by several electrical residues inside the Hsp90-alpha ATPase catalytic site. Conclusion: This study reveals functional information about the anti-tumor mechanism of saffron bioactive constituents. Also, a tractable set of anti-neoplastic targets for saffron has been generated in this study which can be further authenticated by in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Comparative Evaluation of Salivary Neopterin Levels and Its Effects to Periodontal Therapy in Pre- and Post- Menopausal Women

( Jammula Surya Prasanna ),( Chinta Sumadhura ),( Parupalli Karunakar ),( Naineni Rohini ) 대한폐경학회 2017 대한폐경학회지 Vol.23 No.1

Objectives: Neopterin is a valuable diagnostic biomarker, which is elevated in inflammatory conditions like periodontitis, that is characterized by destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth. Among the biomarkers, neopterin occurs in body fluids, and acts as a diagnostic marker for present and future disease activity. Methods: Thirty female subjects with chronic periodontitis, mean age 50 years (40-60 years) were included in this study. Depending upon their menstrual history, subjects were categorized into two groups of fifteen each. Group I 15 pre-menopausal women, and Group II 15 post-menopausal women. Saliva was collected, and neopterin levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in both the groups, at base line and after three months of nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). Periodontal parameters like pocket probing depth (PD) and Russell`s periodontal disease index (PDI) were assessed before treatment as well as after three months of scaling and root planning. Results: Intra group analysis showed significant markdown in the mean values of all the parameters from baseline to three months (P < 0.001), for all patients. The intergroup comparison, from baseline to 3 months also showed no significant change in PD and PDI values, but there was a statistically significant difference in the salivary neopterin levels (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Neopterin levels were found to be reduced in three months after NSPT in both the groups, suggesting that the NSPT is the gold standard therapy, and also that neopterin levels in saliva can be used as an indicator to identify periodontal inflammation and destruction. (J Menopausal Med 2017;23:32-41)

A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Postmenopausal Females with Periodontitis and Its Response to a Non Invasive Clinical Approach

( Jammula Surya Prasanna ),( Chinta Sumadhura ),( Parupalli Karunakar ) 대한폐경학회 2017 대한폐경학회지 Vol.23 No.3

Objectives: The influence of sex steroid hormones on periodontium can be knockdown with good plaque control. The aim of the present study was to evaluate periodontal status in pre- and postmenopausal women with periodontitis following non-surgical therapy. Methods: Total 60 female patients’ periodontal status was measured by periodontal index (PRI), and oral hygiene status was measured by plaque index (PI). Both the parameters were measured at baseline i.e. before scaling and root planing and after 3 months intervals post treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: The mean PRI scores in premenopausal group were 5.68 ± 0.64 and 2.53 ± 0.13, and PI scores were 1.84 ± 0.17 and 0.91 ± 0.13 respectively at baseline and 3 months. The mean PRI scores in postmenopausal group were 6.08 ± 0.46 and 2.55 ± 0.12, and PI scores were 1.86 ± 0.24 and 1.00 ± 0.24 respectively at baseline and 3 months. Conclusions: There was more desirable response to non-surgical periodontal therapy in both the groups but not significant variation in between two groups. (J Menopausal Med 2017;23:202-209)

HPV, Cervical Cancer and Pap Test Related Knowledge Among a Sample of Female Dental Students in India

Doshi, Dolar,Reddy, B Srikanth,Karunakar, P,Deshpande, Kopparesh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.13

Background: The present study was designed to ascertain knowledge about HPV, cervical cancer (CC) and the Pap test among female dental students of Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire covering demographic details, knowledge relating to human papilloma virus (HPV) (8 items), cervical cancer (4 items) and the Pap smear (6 items) was employed. Responses were coded as "True, False and Don't Know". Mean and standard deviation (SD) for correct answers and levels of knowledge were determined. Results: Based on the year of study, significant differences in knowledge of HPV werenoted for questions on symptoms (p=0.01); transmission from asymptomatic partners (p=0.002); treatment with antibiotics (p=0.002); start of sexual activity (p=0.004); and recommended age for HPV vaccination (p=0.01). For knowledge regarding CC, significance was observed for the age group being affected (p=0.008) and symptoms of the disease in early stages (p=0.001). Indications for Pap smear tests like symptoms' of vaginal discharge (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.01) and women with children (p=0.02) had significant difference based on the year of study. Based on religion, transmission of HPV via pregnancy, HPV related diseases except CC and preventive measures except condom use and oral contraceptives showed significant differences. However, significant variation with religion was observed only for two preventive measures of CC (Pap test; p=0.004) and HPV vaccination (p=0.003). Likewise, only the frequency of Pap test showed a significant difference for religion (p=0.001). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the lack of awareness with regard to HPV, CC and screening with pap smear even among health professionals. Hence, regular health campaigns are essential to reduce the disease burden.

Effects of Nano yttrium and Spark Plasma Sintering on the Mechanical Properties of AA2024 Matrix Composites

C. H. Suresh Vidyasagar,D. Benny Karunakar 대한금속·재료학회 2021 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.27 No.11

The present research work investigates the effects of nano yttrium (Y) and SPS mechanism on various properties of AA2024-Y nanocomposites. Five nanocomposites are developed through SPS by reinforcing varying amounts of nano yttrium in therange of 0.1–0.5 wt% to the AA2024 powder matrix. An unreinforced AA2024 is also sintered by SPS as a benchmark tocompare the mechanical properties. The microstructure characterization of the developed nanocomposites is carried out byoptical microscope and field emission scanning electron microscope and the mechanical properties like microhardness andtensile strength is evaluated by computerized Vickers hardness testing machine and universal testing machine (UTM) respectively. The mechanical properties and the corresponding microstructures of composites are correlated. The experimentalresults showed that the mechanical properties gradually increased to a certain level and then decrease. There is a clear trendof initial increase and late decrease in the mechanical properties. An optimum amount of nano yttrium (0.3 wt%) additionis observed to be the maximum limit of reinforcement content to create favorable conditions during spark plasma sinteringfor the promotion of densification and Al2Cuprecipitation in the α-Al matrix leading to an improvement in the mechanicalproperties of the nanocomposites. Among the developed composites, the highest hardness (130 HV), yield strength (YS)(386 MPa) and UTS (462 MPa) are obtained in the AA2024 composite sample reinforced with 0.3 wt% addition of nanoyttrium. Densities close to theoretical density are achieved in all the composite samples.

Chemogenomics Profiling of Drug Targets of Peptidoglycan Biosynthesis Pathway in Leptospira interrogans by Virtual Screening Approaches

( Bhattacharjee Biplab ),( Rose Mary Simon ),( Chaithra Gangadharaiah ),( Prashantha Karunakar ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.6

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis of global concern caused by Leptospira interrogans. The availability of ligand libraries has facilitated the search for novel drug targets using chemogenomics approaches, compared with the traditional method of drug discovery, which is time consuming and yields few leads with little intracellular information for guiding target selection. Recent subtractive genomics studies have revealed the putative drug targets in peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathways in Leptospira interrogans. Aligand library for the murD ligase enzyme in the peptidoglycan pathway has also been identified. Our approach in this research involves screening of the pre-existing ligand library of murD with related protein family members in the putative drug target assembly in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway. A chemogenomics approach has been implemented here, which involves screening of known ligands of a protein family having analogous domain architecture for identification of leads for existing druggable protein family members. By means of this approach, one murC and one murF inhibitor were identified, providing a platform for developing an antileptospirosis drug targeting the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway. Given that the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway is exclusive to bacteria, the in silico identified mur ligase inhibitors are expected to be broad-spectrum Gram-negative inhibitors if synthesized and tested in in vitro and in vivo assays.