Massively parallel sequencing technique, introduced by NGS technology, has resulted in an exponential growth of sequencing data, with greatly reduced cost and increased throughput. This huge explosion of data has introduced new challenges in regard to its storage, integration, processing and analyses. In this paper, we have proposed a novel distributed model under Map-Reduce paradigm to address the NGS big data problem. The architecture of the model involves Map-Reduce based modularized approach involving 3 different phases that support various analytical pipelines. The first phase will generate detailed base level information of various individual genomes, by granulating the alignment data. The other 2 phases independently process this base level information in parallel. One of these 2 phases will provide an integrated DNA profile of multiple individuals, whereas the other phase will generate contigs with similar features in an individual. Each of these 2 phases will generate a repository of genomic information that will facilitate other analytical pipelines. A simulated and real experimental prototypes has been provided as results to show the effectiveness of the model and its superiority over a few existing popular models and tools. A detailed description of the scope of applications of this model is also included in this article.

BACKGROUNDThe assessment of blood vessel networks plays an important role in a variety of medical disorders. The diagnostic sign of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and other retinal vascular diseases including microaneurysms, haemorrhages, hard exudates and cotton wool spots is one such field. This study aims to develop an automated system for the extraction of blood vessels from retinal images by employing Kirsch's Templates in a MATLAB based Graphical User Interface (GUI).

BACKGROUND Colour vision is a function of three types of cone pigments present in the retina. Colour vision deficiency is an important disorder of vision that may pose a handicap to the performance of an affected individual. The prevalence of colour blindness varies in different geographical areas. The identification and estimation of the prevalence of colour vision deficiency in school-going children will help to educate and guide the caregivers to help the children in selecting their profession. This study was done to estimate the prevalence, sex distribution, and types of colour vision deficiency among school-going children of 5 to 15 years. METHODS A cross-sectional observational study was done among 500 students to evaluate the colour vision during the period from 1st January 2018 to 30th June 2019 at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Kolkata. Ishihara’s pseudo isochromatic colour vision chart 38th edition was used to assess the school children for colour vision status. The children who were found to be colour blind were further classified into degree and types of colour vision deficiency. RESULTS A total of 500 students (250 male & 250 female) of surrounding schools, in the age group of 5 years to 15 years, were screened. 480 students (96 %) had normal colour vision while 20 (4 %) students were found to have defective colour vision. Prevalence (4 %) for colour blindness was found to be higher in males (3.6 %) than females (0.4 %). It was observed that out of 20 (4 %) colour-blind subjects 3.6 % were protanopes and 0.4 % were deuteranopes. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows the prevalence of colour blindness found to be quite low (4 %) and more common in males (3.6 %) in comparison to females (0.4 %). Protanomaly (3.6 %) was more common than deuteranomaly (0.4 %). KEYWORDS Colour Blindness, Protanomaly, Deuteranomaly, School Children

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BACKGROUND Cataract extraction is the largest surgical workload in the world. Goal of the modern cataract surgery is to reduce pre-operative astigmatism after operation to improve visual acuity and quality. Regarding the choice of incision location, previous studies reports that the superior incision induces greater change in corneal astigmatism (against the rule) than temporal (with the rule). With The Rule (WTR) is preferred, because it allows better uncorrected visual acuity. With The Rule (WTR) is preferred in most cases, as it frequently allows better uncorrected visual acuity. Nowadays, phacoemulsification remains the more advanced and technically superior method of cataract surgery; it is not always either from a cost purpose and its limitations of few type of cataracts. When incision is located superiorly, both gravity and eyelid blink tend to create a drag on the incision. These forces are better neutralised with temporal incision, because it is parallel to the vector of the forces. With-the-rule astigmatism induced by a temporal incision is advantageous, because most elderly patients have preoperative against-the-rule astigmatism. When incision is located superiorly, both gravity and eyelid blink tend to create a drag on the incision. These forces are better neutralised with temporal incision, because it is parallel to the vector of the forces. With-the-rule astigmatism induced by a temporal incision is advantageous, because most elderly patients have preoperative against-the-rule astigmatism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Subjects of the study were selected from consecutive cases of patients attending the Outpatients Departments of Ophthalmology with consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria properly, NRS Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata from Nov. 2011 to Sept. 2012. RESULTS The surgically induced astigmatism in temporal SICS (0.98 ± 0.59) is much lower than superior SICS (1.45 ± 1.24) and the difference is statistically very significant (as P value is < 0.01). In age wise distribution table, Surgically Induced Astigmatism (SIA) in temporal SICS is lower than superior SICS. It is clinically significant and statistically significant (P value < 0.05) in all age groups except in < 40 yrs. In superior SICS male vs female, difference in SIA is statistically insignificant (p value > 0.05) and in temporal SICS difference is also statistically insignificant, (p value > 0.05), hence the value is independent on gender factor. CONCLUSION The age wise distribution and comparison table between patients undergoing superior and temporal SICS found that the temporal approach SICS gives less surgically induced astigmatism in all age groups and it is statistically significant (p value) in all groups (except in the age group < 40 yrs.). But as the sample is very small compared to other age groups, so anything cannot be concluded. So overall the study found that the surgically induced astigmatism in temporal SICS is lower than superior SICS and it is statistically significant.