Explainable AI based automated segmentation and multi-stage classification of gastroesophageal reflux using machine learning techniques.

Presently, close to two million patients globally succumb to gastrointestinal reflux diseases (GERD). Video endoscopy represents cutting-edge technology in medical imaging, facilitating the diagnosis of various gastrointestinal ailments including stomach ulcers, bleeding, and polyps. However, the abundance of images produced by medical video endoscopy necessitates significant time for doctors to analyze them thoroughly, posing a challenge for manual diagnosis. This challenge has spurred research into computer-aided techniques aimed at diagnosing the plethora of generated images swiftly and accurately. The novelty of the proposed methodology lies in the development of a system tailored for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases. The proposed work used an object detection method called Yolov5 for identifying abnormal region of interest and Deep LabV3+ for segmentation of abnormal regions in GERD. Further, the features are extracted from the segmented image and given as an input to the seven different machine learning classifiers and custom deep neural network model for multi-stage classification of GERD. The DeepLabV3+ attains an excellent segmentation accuracy of 95.2% and an F1 score of 93.3%. The custom dense neural network obtained a classification accuracy of 90.5%. Among the seven different machine learning classifiers, support vector machine (SVM) outperformed with classification accuracy of 87% compared to all other class outperformed combination of object detection, deep learning-based segmentation and machine learning classification enables the timely identification and surveillance of problems associated with GERD for healthcare providers.

Progress in the Optimization of Compositional Design and Thermomechanical Processing of Metastable ß Ti Alloys for Biomedical Applications.

Over the past few years, significant research and development in the manufacturing industry related to the medical field has been done. The aim has been to improve existing biomaterials and bioimplants by exploring new methods and strategies. Beta titanium alloys, known for their exceptional strength-to-modulus ratio, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and ease of shaping, are expected to play a crucial role in manufacturing the next generation of biomedical equipment. To meet the specific requirements of human bone, researchers have employed key techniques like compositional design and thermomechanical processing routes to advance biomaterial development. These materials find extensive applications in orthopedic, orthodontic, and cardiovascular biomedical implants. Several studies have shown that precise material composition, with appropriate heat treatment and suitable mechanical approaches, can yield the desired mechanical properties for bone implants. In this review article, we explore the evolution of alloys at different stages, with a particular focus on their preparation for use in biomedical implants. The primary focus is on designing low-modulus ß Ti alloy compositions and employing processing techniques to achieve high strength while maintaining a low young modulus suitable for biomedical applications.

Clinical profile of 1208 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients in Tamil Nadu-A multi-centric survey.

BACKGROUND: An increasing incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is being reported in developing countries, including India. Most Indian studies on CRC are retrospective and single-centered. The present study is an attempt to understand the current clinical profile and stage of newly diagnosed CRCs across multiple centers in Tamil Nadu, India. METHODS: A multi-centric observational survey was conducted between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022, under the aegis of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology - Tamil Nadu chapter. Patients 18 years of age and older with a recent diagnosis of CRC fulfilling the inclusion criteria were prospectively recruited at the participating centers. Their demographic, clinical, biochemical, endoscopic, histopathologic, radiologic and risk factor details were systematically collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Across 23 centers in Tamil Nadu, 1208 patients were recruited. The male:female ratio was 1.49:1, while mean (SD) age was 57.7 (13.5) years. A majority (81.9%) were Tamils and 78.5% belonged to lower socioeconomic classes. The predominant symptoms were hematochezia (30.2%) and a change in bowel habits (27.5%). The most common locations were the rectum (34.3%) and rectosigmoid (15.1%). Synchronous CRCs were seen in 3.3% and synchronous colorectal polyps in 12.8%. Predisposing factors for CRC were seen in 2%. A past history of any cancer among CRC patients was obtained in 3.1% and a family history of any cancer was found in 7.6%. Patients who were either overweight or obese constituted 46.4% of the study population. At presentation, the predominant stages were stage III (44.7%) and stage IV (20.8%). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of patients with newly diagnosed CRC in Tamil Nadu belonged to the lower socioeconomic classes. About 60% had CRCs located within the reach of the flexible sigmoidoscope. Two-thirds of the patients exceeded stage II disease at presentation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Torque ripple minimization of bridgeless CUK converter-based BLDC motor using Improved Jellyfish Search Algorithm.

This paper proposed an improved jellyfish Search (ImpJS) technique for torque ripple minimization on CUK converter based BLDC motor. In this paper, crossover and mutation operator are utilized to improve searching behavior of the JS algorithm. Hence, it is named as improved jellyfish algorithm (ImpJS). At first, BLDC motor is considered along with the Cuk converter is improved through the switched inductor. Simultaneously, the execution of the BLDC motor operation includes speed and torque control strategy is also analyzed. In order to improve these two strategies, the proposed ImpJS system is introduced. The best gain parameter is tuned to upgrade the controller operation considering the objective function. Finally, the proposed technique-based BLDC motor is performed on MATLAB/Simulink platform in order to analyze the performance is compared with other existing system to determine the effectiveness. The existing techniques like particle swarm optimization (PSO), ant lion optimizer (ALO) and salp swarm algorithm (SSA). In case 1 and case 2, the MSE for proposed technique achieves the value of 0.01093 and 0.01095. In case 1 and case 2, the voltage deviation for the proposed system achieves the value of 2 and 2.

Groundwater and pore water inputs to the Bay of Bengal supported by geochemical tracers: Example from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, East Coast of India.

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and Saline water intrusion (SWI) are the two major processes that influence coastal aquifers resulting in severe water stress. It is essential to characterize groundwater dynamics and discriminate geochemical characterization to understand both approaches. The present study investigates the zones influenced by SGD and SWI along the coastal aquifers of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. Pore water (PW) and groundwater (GW) samples were collected during the monsoon season at low tide and analyzed for major ions adopting standard procedures. Hydrogeochemical characterization of water samples revealed by the piper, ionic ratio, ionic delta (Δmi), and seawater fraction (fSea) plots suggest that the PW samples, irrespective of location and GW samples in specific areas, were attributed to SWI, while the remaining samples suggested SGD. The average chloride-attributed SGD flux calculated for PW was 23.45 × 10-7 L cm-2 S-1 and for GW, 0.58 × 10-7 L cm-S-1. Higher fluxes observed in PW suggest seawater recirculation as the primary mechanism, and GW samples were found to be influenced by fresh, recirculated, and saline intrusions. Overall, the northern parts of the study region were influenced by freshwater discharge. However, the central and southern parts of the study regions were influenced by mixed RSGD and SWI water types. The present work suggests locations influenced by fresh, recirculated, and saline water zones that can benefit the stakeholders in planning strategies to identify proper aquifer recharge and suggest ideal pumping scenarios to sustain groundwater resources.

The Unprecedented Role of 3D Printing Technology in Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Review.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spread to over 180 countries and abruptly disrupted production rates and supply chains worldwide. Since then, 3D printing, also recognized as additive manufacturing (AM) and known to be a novel technique that uses layer-by-layer deposition of material to produce intricate 3D geometry, has been engaged in reducing the distress caused by the outbreak. During the early stages of this pandemic, shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), including facemasks, shields, respirators, and other medical gear, were significantly answered by remotely 3D printing them. Amidst the growing testing requirements, 3D printing emerged as a potential and fast solution as a manufacturing process to meet production needs due to its flexibility, reliability, and rapid response capabilities. In the recent past, some other medical applications that have gained prominence in the scientific community include 3D-printed ventilator splitters, device components, and patient-specific products. Regarding non-medical applications, researchers have successfully developed contact-free devices to address the sanitary crisis in public places. This work aims to systematically review the applications of 3D printing or AM techniques that have been involved in producing various critical products essential to limit this deadly pandemic's progression.

Supporting the drive to thrive in cleft lip and palate infant- a case report.

In infants with cleft lip and palate, failure to thrive (FTT) condition has largely been attributed to early feeding difficulties. Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding (PNAM) forms an integral part of treatment modality for cleft infants in such conditions, by providing a myriad of benefits.It balances several aspects of treatment such as growth, aesthetics and function in cleft infants and also provides psychological reassurance to the parents. This clinical report describes the presurgical management of an infant with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who was in failure to thrive condition.

An Unusual Branching Pattern of the Median Cubital Vein and its Relations with Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of Forearm in the Upper Extremity: Anatomicoclinical Notes

Cubital fossa is the usual site for performing venepuncture in the clinical settings for health screenings and diagnostic purposes. This procedure is simple and uncomplicated but occasionally can lead to bleeding and pain in the form of complex regional pain syndrome. Superficial veins of the upper limb are often used for venepuncture for transfusion purposes and for obtaining blood samples. These veins are also used for cardiac catheterisation and giving intravenous injections. During routine cadaveric dissection, a cubital venous variation was observed in a 45-yr –old, male cadaver. The median cubital vein initiated from cephalic vein passed upwards and laterally superficial to posterior branch of medial cutaneous nerve of forearm. In the middle of its course, it gave off an ascending channel which further divided into medial and lateral tributaries. The medial tributary terminated into the basilic vein, whereas the lateral tributary ascended laterally superficial to a branch of lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm and drained into cephalic vein at the level of elbow joint. Various patterns of superficial cubital veins have been mentioned in literature. Awareness of such anatomical variations is crucial while performing venepuncture in clinical settings as well as for creating arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis purpose.