Multimodal hybrid convolutional neural network based brain tumor grade classification.

An abnormal growth or fatty mass of cells in the brain is called a tumor. They can be either healthy (normal) or become cancerous, depending on the structure of their cells. This can result in increased pressure within the cranium, potentially causing damage to the brain or even death. As a result, diagnostic procedures such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography, as well as blood and urine tests, are used to identify brain tumors. However, these methods can be labor-intensive and sometimes yield inaccurate results. Instead of these time-consuming methods, deep learning models are employed because they are less time-consuming, require less expensive equipment, produce more accurate results, and are easy to set up. In this study, we propose a method based on transfer learning, utilizing the pre-trained VGG-19 model. This approach has been enhanced by applying a customized convolutional neural network framework and combining it with pre-processing methods, including normalization and data augmentation. For training and testing, our proposed model used 80% and 20% of the images from the dataset, respectively. Our proposed method achieved remarkable success, with an accuracy rate of 99.43%, a sensitivity of 98.73%, and a specificity of 97.21%. The dataset, sourced from Kaggle for training purposes, consists of 407 images, including 257 depicting brain tumors and 150 without tumors. These models could be utilized to develop clinically useful solutions for identifying brain tumors in CT images based on these outcomes.

In situ air oxidation and photophysical studies of isoquinoline-fused N-heteroacenes.

An efficient, metal free and environment friendly synthesis of isoquinoline-fused benzimidazole has been developed via in situ air oxidation. Also, syntheses of isoquinoline-fused quinazolinone heteroacenes were successfully achieved. The synthesized isoquinoline-fused benzimidazole and isoquinoline-fused quinazolinone derivatives showed λmax, Fmax and Φf values in the ranges 356-394 nm, 403-444 nm and 0.063-0.471, respectively, in CHCl3.

Improved Capsule Network Optimization Hierarchical Convolution Algorithm for Mental Health Recognition.

To address the shortcomings of standard convolutional neural networks (CNNs), the model structure is complex, the training period is lengthy, and the data processing technique is single. A modified capsule network is presented to optimize hierarchical convolution-the algorithm for identifying mental health conditions. To begin, two types of data processing are performed on the original vibration data: wavelet noise reduction and wavelet packet noise reduction; this retains more valuable information for mental health identification in the original signal; secondly, the CNN employs the concept of hierarchical convolution, and three distinct scaled convolution kernels are utilized to extract features from numerous angles; ultimately, the convolution kernel's extracted features are fed into the pruning strategy's capsule network for mental health diagnosis. The enhanced capsule network has the potential to significantly speed up mental health identification while maintaining accuracy. It is time to address the issue of the CNN structure being too complex and the recognition impact being inadequate. The experimental findings indicate that the suggested algorithm achieves a high level of recognition accuracy while consuming a small amount of time.

Identification of Mpro inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 using structure based computational drug repurposing.

The recent outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the novel pathogen SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a severe health emergency. In this pandemic, drug repurposing seems to be the most promising alternative to identify effective therapeutic agents for immediate treatment of infected patients. The present study aimed to evaluate all the drugs present in drug bank as potential novel SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, using computational drug repurposing studies. Docking-based virtual screening and binding energy prediction were performed, followed by Absorption Distribution Metabolism Excretion calculation. Hydroxychloroquine and Nelfinavir have been identified as the best potential inhibitor against the SARS-CoV-2, therefore, they were used as reference compounds in computational DR studies. The docking study revealed 13 best compounds based on their highest binding affinity, binding energy, and dock score concerning the other screened compounds. Out of 13, only 4 compounds were further shortlisted based on their binding energy and best ADME properties. The hierarchical virtual screening yielded the best 04 drugs, DB07042 (compound 2), DB13035 (compound 3), DB13604 (compound 5) and DB08253 (compound 6), with commendable binding energies in kcal/mol, i.e. -65.45, -62.01, -52.09 and -51.70 respectively. Further, Molecular dynamics simulation with 04 best-retrieved hits has confirmed stable trajectories in protein in terms of root mean square deviation and root mean square fluctuation. During 30 ns simulation, the interactions were also found similar to the docking-based studies. However, clinical studies are necessary to investigate their therapeutic use against this outbreak.

Diorganyl diselenides: a powerful tool for the construction of selenium containing scaffolds.

Organoselenium compounds find versatile applications in organic synthesis, materials synthesis, and ligand chemistry. Organoselenium heterocycles are widely studied agents with diverse applications in various biological processes. This review highlights the recent progress in the synthesis of selenium heterocycles using diorganyl diselenides with keen attention on green synthetic approaches, scopes, C-H selanylation, the mechanisms of different reactions and insights into the formation of metal complexes. The C-H selanylation using diorganyl diselenides with different catalysts, bases, transition metals, iodine salts, NIS, hypervalent iodine, and other reagents is summarised. Finally, the diverse binding modes of bis(2/4-pyridyl)diselenide with different metal complexes are also summarised.

Reducing the use of inhaled corticosteroids in mild-moderate COPD: an observational study in east London.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are often prescribed for worsening breathlessness, exacerbation frequency or lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In mild-moderate disease and infrequent exacerbations, treatment risks may outweigh benefits and ICS may be withdrawn safely under supervision. A systematic ICS deprescribing programme for patients with mild-moderate COPD was introduced in an east London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in April 2017. Primary care patient record analysis found that prescribing fell from 34.9% (n = 701) in the 18 months pre-intervention to 26.9% (n = 538) by the second year of implementation, decreasing 0.84% per quarter post intervention (p = 0.006, linear regression). The relative decrease was greater than the comparison CCG (23.0% vs. 9.9%). Only South Asian ethnicity was associated with increased cessation (odds ratio 1.48, confidence interval (CI) 1.09-2.01), p = 0.013, logistic regression). Patient outcome data were not collected. A primary care-led programme comprising local education, financial incentivisation and consultant support led to a significant decrease in ICS prescribing.

A case of Hepatitis E in a blood donor.

The threat of hepatitis E is being felt in blood banks in recent times. The disease is usually self-limiting, but may progress to a fulminant fatal form. We report a unique case of a hepatitis E virus (HEV)-positive asymptomatic blood donor who later developed jaundice and informed the blood bank. A blood donor passed all eligibility criteria tests and donated blood. After 20 days, the blood bank was informed by the donor that he had developed vomiting and jaundice 1 day postdonation. He was investigated by a local laboratory 1 day postdonation for liver profile, which was high. There had been a major outbreak in his community of similar symptoms during the same period. HEV IgM antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was positive. Silent infections may be lurking in apparently healthy donors. Donors need to be encouraged to revert in case of any significant developments after donation and maintain open channels of communication.

Clinical course of children with HIV associated thrombocytopenia.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical profile of HIV associated thrombocytopenia, co-relation between thrombocytopenia and immune status and the effect of the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) on platelet count. METHODS: In this cross sectional retrospective analytical study, records of all children up to 15 y, enrolled at a Pediatric ART Centre during the period 30 Nov. 2006 to 31st Dec. 2009 were reviewed for presence of thrombocytopenia. Clinical course, outcome and their immunological status were analyzed. RESULTS: 34 children (19.6%) out of 173 were found to have thrombocytopenia. After excluding three who had pancytopenia associated thrombocytopenia, records of 31 children (28 M, 3 F) were further studied. Six children (19.4%) presented with bleeding manifestations. The platelet counts ranged between 4x10(9)/L to 140x10(9)/L. No specific co-relation could be made out between platelet count and CD4 counts. The mortality was higher in thrombocytopenic children on ART as compared to children on ART with normal platelet count (p- < 0.001). Amongst the live children, the platelet counts normalized within 3 mo of ART in 11 (64.7%) while it took 18 mo in three and 30 mo in one case respectively. Twelve children with thrombocytopenia as an incidental finding have shown a good platelet response to ART. Six symptomatic children with thrombocytopenia showed a varied platelet response to ART despite showing a significant increase in the CD4 counts. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytopenia in HIV infected may be an incidental finding in some children. Thrombocytopenia was found to be a poor prognostic factor and no specific co-relation to immune status was seen.

Poly(HEMA-Zidovudine) conjugate: a macromolecular pro-drug for improvement in the biopharmaceutical properties of the drug.

A macromolecular pro-drug of a known anti-viral agent Zidovudine (AZT) was synthesized and evaluated as a sustained drug delivery system. The pro-drug was synthesized by coupling the drug to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) through a succinic spacer to get a monomeric drug conjugate which was polymerized to obtain the polymeric pro-drug. The pro-drug was subjected for in-vitro drug release study in buffers of pH 1.2 and 7.4. The hydrolytic stability of the pro-drug to pepsin was assessed in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) and to α-chymotrypsin in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.4). The results showed that the drug release from the polymeric backbone takes place in a sustained manner over a period of 24 h, and the amount of drug released was comparatively higher at pH 7.4. Plasmatic hydrolysis studies of succinylzidovudine showed nearly complete release of AZT. At all pH conditions in the presence and absence of α-chymotrypsin, AZT was released preferentially in comparison with the succinyl derivative. The in-vivo release studies in rabbits after oral administration of AZT conjugate demonstrated a sustained release of parent drug over a period of 24 h. The pro-drug provided a significant increase in the area under the plasma concentration time curve as compared to free drug and extended the plasma half-life from 1.06 h to 8.08 h. This study suggested that, after oral administration, the drug-polymer conjugate can release AZT for prolonged periods, thus improving the pharmacokinetics of AZT and decreasing the fluctuation in plasma drug levels that can lead to toxicity.

Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro drug release study of methacrylate diclofenac conjugate as macromolecular prodrug.

Diclofenac was covalently coupled to 2-hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) to get a monomeric drug derivative of diclofenac. This monomer was subjected to radicular polymerization to get poly(diclo-EMA) conjugate. The in vitro drug release study of the polymeric prodrug was carried out in buffers of pH 1.2 and 7.4 mimicking the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The hydrolytic stability of the prodrug to pepsin was assessed in an acid buffer of pH 1.2 (simulated gastric fluid) and to α-chymotrypsin in an alkaline buffer of pH 7.4 (simulated intestinal fluid). The synthesized prodrug was also analyzed for analgesic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and ulcerogenic index. The results showed that the drug release from the polymeric backbone takes place in a sustained manner over a period of 12 h and that the amount of drug released was comparatively higher at pH 7.4, indicating that the drug release should take place predominantly in the alkaline environment of the lower GIT rather than in the acidic environment of the upper GIT. This drug release behavior could be an ideal behavior as it may avoid or minimize the direct damage to the upper GIT caused by diclofenac. Moreover, a marked reduction of the ulcerogenic index and comparable analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were observed with the synthesized prodrug as compared to diclofenac.

Harijans and Girijans of Andhra Pradesh: an application of analysis of variance in the study of fertility, mortality and family planning.

PIP: Research on the Bagatha tribe and the Malas and Madigas in India has been done for economic and social planning purposes in regard to family planning. Bagatha are mostly agricultural people where the nuclear family is prevalent and polygamy is popular as well as cousin marriage. The Madigas and Males (Harijans) are lower caste with the 1st being leather workers and the latter being agricultural helpers. The data was collected by direct interview of 202 tribesmen and 202 caste households with women from 15-49 years of age. The data collected on fertility include live births, child survival rate, fetal wastage, husband and wives education, income, and occupations. On mortality, the number of deaths, age at marriage, number of and intervals of pregnancies. As expected, educated and employed families show healthier and higher levels of fertility especially if the wife is educated. The wife shows more of the responsibility for family planning. The age at marriage and the number of pregnancies appears to have little effect on mortality. In the caste group the education level of the husband has little effect on fertility and again the wife has the primary responsibility in using family planning techniques.^ieng