Convolutional neural networks for the diagnosis and prognosis of the coronavirus disease pandemic.

A neural network is one of the current trends in deep learning, which is increasingly gaining attention owing to its contribution in transforming the different facets of human life. It also paves a way to approach the current crisis caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from all scientific directions. Convolutional neural network (CNN), a type of neural network, is extensively applied in the medical field, and is particularly useful in the current COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we present the application of CNNs for the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 using X-ray and computed tomography (CT) images of COVID-19 patients. The CNN models discussed in this review were mainly developed for the detection, classification, and segmentation of COVID-19 images. The base models used for detection and classification were AlexNet, Visual Geometry Group Network with 16 layers, residual network, DensNet, GoogLeNet, MobileNet, Inception, and extreme Inception. U-Net and voxel-based broad learning network were used for segmentation. Even with limited datasets, these methods proved to be beneficial for efficiently identifying the occurrence of COVID-19. To further validate these observations, we conducted an experimental study using a simple CNN framework for the binary classification of COVID-19 CT images. We achieved an accuracy of 93% with an F1-score of 0.93. Thus, with the availability of improved medical image datasets, it is evident that CNNs are very useful for the efficient diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19.

Bacterial communities associated with invasive populations of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in China.

The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is a destructive insect pest of a wide range of fruits and vegetables. This pest is an invasive species and is currently distributed in some provinces of China. To recover the symbiotic bacteria of B. dorsalis from different invasion regions in China, we researched the bacterial diversity of this fruit fly among one laboratory colony (Guangdong, China) and 15 wild populations (14 sites in China and one site in Thailand) using DNA-based approaches. The construction of 16S rRNA gene libraries allowed the identification of 24 operational taxonomic units of associated bacteria at the 3% distance level, and these were affiliated with 3 phyla, 5 families, and 13 genera. The higher bacterial diversity was recovered in wild populations compared with the laboratory colony and in samples from early term invasion regions compared with samples from late term invasion regions. Moreover, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Providencia sp. were two of the most frequently recovered bacteria, present in flies collected from three different regions in China where B. dorsalis is invasive. This study for the first time provides a systemic investigation of the symbiotic bacteria of B. dorsalis from different invasion regions in China.

Views of practitioners of alternative medicine toward psychiatric illness and psychiatric care: a study from Solapur, India.

BACKGROUND: It is common knowledge that patients seek treatment for psychiatric illnesses from various sources including the alternative medicine. Views and attitudes of clinicians often influence the provision of appropriate mental health care for these patients. In this context, it was intended to study the views of the practitioners of alternative medicine toward psychiatric disorders, patients and interventions. METHODS: The study was conducted as a questionnaire-based survey among a sample of practitioners of alternative medicine specifically Ayurveda and Homeopathy, who were practicing in Solapur and adjoining areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka states in India. A semi-structured Attitudinal Inventory for Psychiatry questionnaire was used. Demographic and professional data were collected. RESULTS: Out of 62 practitioners approached, 50 responded (80.6%). There were no significant differences in the views of practitioners toward psychiatry and psychiatrists based on respondents' gender, place of residence, location of practice, type of alternative medicine, exposure to psychiatric patients, or if they knew someone with psychiatric illness. Attitudes were generally positive, but variable. Among negative observations were that approximately 60% of respondents felt that a patient can be disadvantaged by being given a psychiatric label and 58% believed that emotions are difficult to handle. A considerable proportion (40%) of the respondents felt doctors other than psychiatrists were unable to identify psychiatric disorders. DISCUSSION: This study's findings suggest that practitioners of alternative medicine have mixed views about mental illness, patients and treatment. Some of their negative views and perceived inability to identify psychiatric disorders may be addressed through further training, information sharing and collaborative work.

A study on patient satisfaction with psychiatric services.

CONTEXT: Patient satisfaction with psychiatric services is an important construct, which influences multiple areas including treatment adherance and outcome. There is paucity of studies from India in this area. AIMS: To measure satisfaction of psychiatric outpatients of Mental Health Institute, Cuttack, and to assess the relationship between demographic and clinical variables with different domains of patient satisfaction. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: In a cross-sectional study, patients of age 18-60 years receiving treatment for at least six months from outpatient department of Mental Health Institute, SCB Medical College, Cuttack, were assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants (n=60) were selected randomly. Satisfaction was assessed by Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18) and the diagnoses were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV-TR. Severity of psychiatric disorder was measured using Clinical Global Impression-severity scale. The functioning level was assessed by Global Assessment of Functioning. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Continuous variables compared using independent t-test or analysis of variance. RESULTS: Diagnostic break-up of the patients included anxiety disorder (36.6%), major depressive disorder (30.0%), bipolar disorder (16.6%), and schizophrenia (16.6%). Greatest level of satisfaction was noted in interpersonal aspects (71.4%) and time spent with doctors (62.4%). General satisfaction level was a little over 50% (57%). Differences between composite scores of PSQ-18 in the diagnostic categories were statistically significant; patients with depression had the highest score followed by those with anxiety disorder, bipolar, and the least was with schizophrenia patients. There was variability among the demographic and clinical groups regarding the various subscale score of PSQ-18. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfaction of psychiatric outpatients was observed to be different in various clinical and demographic groups and across many domains of satisfaction.

Psychiatric Manifestations in a Patient with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Symptoms and Cryptococcal Meningitis.

We report here a case that presented as mania followed by depression and mild cognitive impairment, which was misinterpreted and treated as a depressive episode of bipolar disorder and planned for electroconvulsive therapy, but was ultimately found to have cryptococcal meningitis and HIV-associated neurocognitive symptoms.

Structural studies on the impurities of troglitazone.

The impurity profile study of troglitazone has been carried out primarily by (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) LC-MS. Four process-related impurities have been detected by LC-MS and were confirmed by co-injection with authentic samples. Apart from the process-related impurities, two polar by-products were characterized by mass spectral data and comparison with reference samples, while one non-polar by-product and one degradation product have been isolated by means of preparative HPLC and characterized by 2D NMR and mass spectral study. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been carried out on the degradation product. The formation and characterization of these by-products and degradation product are discussed.

Troglitazone, an euglycemic antidiabetic drug.

Troglitazone (or 5-{4-[(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-yl) methoxy]benzyl}thiazolidine-2,4-dione, C24H27NO5S) is the first euglycemic drug. The molecules are held together in the lattice by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy O atom of the chroman moiety, and the ketone O and ring N atom of the thiazolidine-2,4-dione moiety.

Pro- and anti-oxidant effects of some antileprotic drugs in vitro and their influence on super oxide dismutase activity.

The effect of ofloxacin (CAS 82419-36-1), dapsone (CAS 80-08-0), rifampicin (CAS 13282-46-1) and clofazimine (CAS 2030-63-9) on the generation of superoxide anions was studied in vitro. The drugs were incubated with a superoxide generating system (photochemical reaction between riboflavin and dianisidine). The change in optical density was measured. The optical density was increased with dapsone and ofloxacin and decreased in presence of clofazimine and rifampicin. This result indicates that ofloxacin and dapsone have an antioxidant property, whereas clofazimine and rifampicin behave as pro-oxidants.

Synthesis and biological activity of novel thiazolidinediones.

Novel compounds having a dual pharmacophore were synthesised and evaluated for their insulin sensitiser and anti-inflammatory properties in different animal models.

Characterization of clofazimine metabolites in humans by HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry.

Clofazimine (CAS 2030-63-9) is an important drug used in the treatment of leprosy. Its important metabolites are investigated by thin layer chromatography (TLC), HPLC (diode array) and HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry. The resulting analytical data, extraction, isolation and characterization methods are presented. Their applicability is described for human urine analysis.

Photorespiration studies in Cycas circinalis L. and Cycas beddomei Dyer.

Photosynthetic carboxylating enzymes and the effects of light and temperature on (14)CO2 efflux in two species of gymnosperm leaves were studied. The activity of RuBP carboxylase was high and that of PEP carboxylase was very low when compared to C4 plants. The CO2 compensation point was high. (14)CO2 efflux was greater in light than in darkness and the ratio (L/D) increased with increase in temperature and light intensity. The inhibitors of glycolate metabolism showed decreased (14)CO2 evolution in light while dark respiration was unaffected. It is concluded that both Cycas circinalis, L. and Cycas beddomei Dyer are C3 plants.