Enhancing Lung Nodule Classification: A Novel CViEBi-CBGWO Approach with Integrated Image Preprocessing.

Cancer detection and accurate classification pose significant challenges for medical professionals, as it is described as a lethal illness. Diagnosing the malignant lung nodules in its initial stage significantly enhances the recovery and survival rates. Therefore, a novel model named convolutional vision Elman bidirectional-based crossover boosted grey wolf optimization (CViEBi-CBGWO) has been proposed to enhance classification accuracy. CT images selected for further preprocessing are obtained from the LUNA16 dataset and LIDC-IDRI dataset. The data undergoes preprocessing phases involving normalization, data augmentation, and filtering to improve the generalization ability as well as image quality. The local features within the preprocessed images are extracted by implementing the convolutional neural network (CNN). For extracting the global features within the preprocessed images, the vision transformer (ViT) model consists of five encoder blocks. The attained local and global features are combined to generate the feature map. The Elman bidirectional long short-term memory (EBiLSTM) model is applied to categorize the generated feature map as benign and malignant. The crossover operation is integrated with the grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm, and the combined form of CBGWO fine-tunes the parameters of the CViEBi model, eliminating the problem of local optima. Experimental validation is conducted using various evaluation measures to assess effectiveness. Comparative analysis demonstrates a superior classification accuracy of 98.72% in the proposed method compared to existing methods.

Returning to work at school during the COVID -19 pandemic, is it stressful for schoolteachers? Assessment of immediate psychological effects: a cross sectional study.

Background: The adoption of remote classes for students has been in vogue since the onset of the pandemic. Schools reopened in a phased manner after the second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in India. Reverting to the regular face-to-face teaching for students became a challenge to the teachers and students, especially at times when there was an impending third wave on the way. The study aimed to assess the presence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in teachers who attended reopened schools in the scenario of face-to-face classes. In addition, we studied the association of psychological symptoms with teachers' age groups, gender, school boards, and school institution type. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October to December 2021 after schools had reopened. Data was collected using Google Form questionnaires in 124 schoolteachers. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) questionnaire assessed the psychological symptoms. Results: Of 124 schoolteachers, 108(87.1%) were female, 112 (90.3%) were from private institutions, and 70(56.5%) were from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) school boards. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in teachers was 30.6%, 45.2%, and 20.2%, respectively. Nearly 80% of the female teachers expressed depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Amongst all the age groups, symptoms were higher in 40-49 group. We found anxiety to be statistically significant when compared with gender (p-0.042). We found no statistically significant differences concerning age groups, school boards, or school institutions with any psychological symptoms. Conclusions: The prevalence of psychological symptoms was high among schoolteachers after schools reopened for regular face-to-face teaching. Gender was associated with anxiety in teachers. We agree that identifying teachers' symptoms and providing adequate psychological counseling/support would improve their mental health status and thereby the quality of teaching to students.

Mediation effect of cord blood cortisol levels between maternal prepregnancy body mass index and birth weight: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Changes in maternal weight affect the maternal and fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, influencing birth weight and contributing to the fetal origin of adult diseases (Barker's hypothesis). This study primarily focused on cord blood cortisol levels and identified the association between maternal prepregnancy body mass index (pre-BMI) and birth weight. It also assessed cord blood lipid profile changes related to maternal pre-BMI, birth weight, and cord blood cortisol levels. PURPOSE: To study the mediation effect of cord blood cortisol level between maternal pre-BMI and birth weight and its correlation with cord blood lipid profile. METHODS: A total of 169 maternal-neonatal pairs were included at 2 tertiary care centers. Mediation analysis was used to estimate the extent of the association between maternal weight changes and birth weight. RESULTS: For each unit increase in maternal pre-BMI, birth weight increased by 90.5 g; for every kilogram increase in gestational weight, birth weight increased by 128.44 g. No considerable mediation effect of cortisol was found between pre-BMI and gestational weight gain or between rate of weight gain and birth weight. Pre-BMI and birth weight had a significant negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, i.e., HDL-C was decreased by 1.1 mg/dL for every unit increase in BMI (P=0.017) and for every 100-g increase in birth weight, HDL-C decreased by 0.6 mg/dL (P=0.046). A significant positive correlation was found between cord blood lipid profile and cortisol levels, especially HDL-C (P=0.041). CONCLUSION: Cord blood cortisol levels did not mediate the association between maternal weight change and birth weight. A positive correlation was noted between cord blood cortisol levels and HDL-C level. Cord blood HDL-C level was negatively correlated with maternal pre-BMI and birth weight.

Perceptions of teachers towards COVID appropriate behaviors for school children in coastal South India.

COVID appropriate behavioral measures need to be followed once school reopens. School teachers being in the forefront could substantiate the feasibility of suggested safety measures. This study aimed to assess teachers' perceptions towards COVID appropriate behaviors for children with school reopening and compare their mean scores between public versus private schools and across school boards. We conducted an observational school-based study of teachers over two months. Perceptions were scored using a five-point Likert symmetric agree to disagree scale. Results were expressed as proportions and analyzed using an independent sample t-test. Of the 547 teachers surveyed, most (> 90%) agreed to the suggested social distancing and hygiene measures. There was a significant difference in perception scores between private versus public schools and across boards regarding i) reducing the academic syllabus, ii) adopting a cloud-based system to integrate online-offline learning, and iii) conducting meetings online. In addition, measures such as i) teaching classes on alternate days with a limited number of children, ii) arranging benches/desks to maintain six feet distance between students, iii) dealing with psychological stress by counselors, and iv) arrangement with local hospitals for medical services were significant statistically across school boards. To conclude, most schoolteachers agreed with the need for social distancing and hygiene measures for children. There was a significant difference in perceptions between public versus private schools and across boards regarding academic syllabus, integration of online-offline student learning, number of children per class, the timing of classes, student seating arrangement, and medical/psychological guidance availability.

Role of Aspirin in High Pulsatility Index of Uterine Artery: A Consort Study.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a heterogeneous disorder prevalent in 3-10% of pregnant women globally. The etiology is multifactorial. There is a initial stage of endothelial dysfunction and placental ischemia (Stage 1); this leads to maternal syndrome of hypertension, edema, and proteinuria (Stage 2). Drugs acting on immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and proresolving pathways can minimize the complications of preeclampsia. The therapeutic effect of aspirin is based on acetyl group and salicylate group. Both components have independent therapeutic effects on anti-inflammatory pathway and proresolving pathway. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the effectiveness and safety of aspirin in prevention and treatment of symptoms and complications of preeclampsia in women at high risk of preeclampsia. METHODS: This is a prospective experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of aspirin versus placebo in the prevention of maternal syndrome of preeclampsia in women with high risk of preeclampsia (G1 = 97, G2 = 92). Patients with age ≥ 34, chronic hypertension, multiple pregnancies, gestational diabetes, and high pulsatility index of uterine artery were enrolled between 12 and 20 weeks of gestation and prescribed 75 mg aspirin daily till 34 weeks of gestation. Control group was not prescribed aspirin. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS: There was a reduction in relative risk of preeclampsia in aspirin group as compared with control group. There was no significant increase in the number of cases of abruption placenta, preterm delivery, neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, and postpartum hemorrhage following aspirin therapy. CONCLUSION: In patients with high mean pulsatility index of uterine arteries, low dose aspirin can be a useful intervention. Uterine artery Doppler is a simple and noninvasive test which can be used safely for the prediction of preeclampsia. Aspirin is safe, economical, and easily available commercially.