A comparative analysis of the binary and multiclass classified chest X-ray images of pneumonia and COVID-19 with ML and DL models

Background

The highly infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the seventh coronavirus. It is the longest pandemic in recorded history worldwide. Many countries are still reporting COVID-19 cases even in the fifth year of its emergence.

Objective

The performance of various machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models was studied for image-based classification of the lungs infected with COVID-19, pneumonia (viral and bacterial), and normal cases from the chest X-rays (CXRs).

Methods

The K-nearest neighbour and logistics regression as the two ML models, and Visual Geometry Group-19, Vision transformer, and ConvMixer as the three DL models were included in the investigation to compare the brevity of the detection and classification of the cases.

Results

Among the investigated models, ConvMixer returned the best result in terms of accuracy, recall, precision, F1-score and area under the curve for both binary as well as multiclass classification. The pre-trained ConvMixer model outperformed the other four models in classifying. As per the performance observations, there was 97.1% accuracy for normal and COVID-19 + pneumonia-infected lungs, 98% accuracy for normal and COVID-19 infected lungs, 82% accuracy for normal + bacterial + viral infected lungs, and 98% accuracy for normal + pneumonia infected lungs. The DL models performed better than the ML models for binary and multiclass classification. The performance of these studied models was tried on other CXR image databases.

Conclusion

The suggested network effectively detected COVID-19 and different types of pneumonia by using CXR imagery. This could help medical sciences for timely and accurate diagnoses of the cases through bioimaging technology and the use of high-end bioinformatics tools.

Current approaches in smart nano-inspired drug delivery: A narrative review

Background and Aim

The traditional drug delivery approach involves systemic administration of a drug that could be nonspecific in targeting, low on efficacy, and with severe side-effects. To address such challenges, the field of smart drug delivery has emerged aiming at designing and developing delivery systems that can target specific cells, tissues, and organs and have minimal off-target side-effects.

Methods

A literature search was done to collate papers and reports about the currently available various strategies for smart nano-inspired drug delivery. The databases searched were PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Based on selection criteria, the most pertinent and recent items were included.

Results

Smart drug delivery is a cutting-edge revolutionary intervention in modern medicines to ensure effective and safe administration of therapeutics to target sites. These hold great promise for targeted and controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to improve the efficacy with reduced side-effects as compared to the conventional drug delivery approaches. Current smart drug delivery approaches include nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and hydrogels, each with its own advantages and limitations. The success of these delivery systems lies in engineering and designing them, and optimizing their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties.

Conclusion

Development of drug delivery systems that can get beyond various physiological and clinical barriers, as observed in conventionally administered chemotherapeutics, has been possible through recent advancements. Using multifunctional targeting methodologies, smart drug delivery tries to localize therapy to the target location, reduces cytotoxicity, and improves the therapeutic index. Rapid advancements in research and development in smart drug delivery provide wider and more promising avenues to guarantee a better healthcare system, improve patient outcomes, and achieve higher levels of effective medical interventions like personalized medicine.

Biswal S, Behera A, Belbsir H, El-Hami K, K. Mohapatra R. Experimental and rheological modelling on the stabilization of iron ore slurry using a biosurfactant extracted from Aloe barbadensis Miller

The pipeline transportation of iron ore slurry (IOS) is an eco-friendly alternate mode to transport the raw materials to longer distance and reduce the transportation network congestion problems. Proper selection of surfactant could modify mineral’s viscosity, dispersion and wetting characteristics effectively as may be desired, which may further be monitored. A surfactant alters surface characteristics after being adsorbed onto minerals by altering the interfacial behaviour. This work is first report of the influence of a biosurfactant sourced from Aloe barbadensis Miller on the rheological behaviour of a high-grade iron ore (IO) sample at 45–72% by mass slurry concentrations range. The observed rheological parameters confirmed the non-Newtonian flow behaviour of the slurry. The collected IO and dried IOS samples were subjected to UV-Vis, XRF, PSD, XRD, SEM and EDS analyses. Experimental rheological data at varying concentrations was tested on various models to ascertain the best-fit rheological model for IOS transport. The Bingham model was found to be the most suitable to model the rheology of IOS. Experimental rheological behaviour of IOS was found to be linear with the yield stress. The study shall help to ascertain the suitability of a biosurfactant to stabilise high grade iron ores for pipeline transportation. KEY WORDS: Iron ore slurry, Aloe barbadensis, Rheological measurements, Rheological modelling Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(3), 615-629.                                                               DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i3.6                         

Application of CRISPR-Cas System to Mitigate Superbug Infections

Multidrug resistance in bacterial strains known as superbugs is estimated to cause fatal infections worldwide. Migration and urbanization have resulted in overcrowding and inadequate sanitation, contributing to a high risk of superbug infections within and between different communities. The CRISPR-Cas system, mainly type II, has been projected as a robust tool to precisely edit drug-resistant bacterial genomes to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains effectively. To entirely opt for its potential, advanced development in the CRISPR-Cas system is needed to reduce toxicity and promote efficacy in gene-editing applications. This might involve base-editing techniques used to produce point mutations. These methods employ designed Cas9 variations, such as the adenine base editor (ABE) and the cytidine base editor (CBE), to directly edit single base pairs without causing DSBs. The CBE and ABE could change a target base pair into a different one (for example, G-C to A-T or C-G to A-T). In this review, we addressed the limitations of the CRISPR/Cas system and explored strategies for circumventing these limitations by applying diverse base-editing techniques. Furthermore, we also discussed recent research showcasing the ability of base editors to eliminate drug-resistant microbes.

Global health concern on the rising dengue and chikungunya cases in the American regions: Countermeasures and preparedness

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Severe morbidity and mortality due to seasonal infectious diseases are common global public health issues. Vector-borne viral illnesses like dengue and chikungunya overload the healthcare systems leading to critical financial burden to manage them. There is no effective drug or vaccine currently available to control these two diseases.

METHODS

The review was formulated by incorporating relevant reports on chikungunya and dengue in the Americas regions through a comprehensive search of literature that were available on dedicated scientific publication portals such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science.

RESULTS

The strategies of public health administrations to control largely the mosquito vectors during tropical monsoon seem to be effective. Yet, it seems practically impossible to completely eliminate them. The mosquito vector disseminates the virus via transovarian route thereby internalising the virus through generations, a reason behind reappearing and recurring outbreaks. The numerous factors associated with industrialisation, urbanisation, population density, and easy transboundary movements appear to have contributed to the spread of vectors from an endemic region to elsewhere.

CONCLUSION

The article made a state-of-affair comprehensive analysis of the rising dengue and chikungunya cases in the tropics, particularly the tropical Americas, as a human health concern, the countermeasures undertaken and the overall preparedness. The viral transmission is a hard situation to tackle as the vector survives in diverse temperature and ecology, is resistant to insecticides, and the unavailability of drugs. Better vector-control measures and improved understanding of the reemerging arboviral infections could offer an extended reaction time to counter outbreaks, and minimise associated morbidity/mortality.

Advanced biomaterials for regenerative medicine and their possible therapeutic significance in treating COVID-19: a critical overview

The potential of biomaterials in medical sciences has attracted much interest, especially in promoting tissue regeneration and controlling immune responses. As the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, there was an increased interest in understanding more about how biomaterials could be employed to fight this dreaded disease, especially in the context of regenerative medicine. Out of the numerous regenerative medicine possibilities, stem cells and scaffolding (grafting) technology are two major areas in modern medicine and surgery. Mesenchymal stem cells are useful in tissue repair, tailored therapy and the treatment of COVID-19. Using biomaterials in COVID-19 treatment is intricate and needs multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research. Cell-based therapy and organ transplants pose immunological rejection challenges. Immunomodulation enhanced, tumorigenicity decreased, inflammation addressed and tissue damage restricted; bioengineered stem cells need clinical insights and validation. Advanced stem cell-based therapies should ideally be effective, safe and scalable. Cost and scalability shall dictate the dawn of techno-economically feasible regenerative medicine. A globally standard and uniform approval process could accelerate translational regenerative medicine. Researchers, patient advocacy organisations, regulators and biopharmaceutical stakeholders need to join hands for easy navigation of regulatory measures and expeditious market entry of regenerative medicine. This article summarises advances in biomaterials for regenerative medicine and their possible therapeutic benefits in managing infectious diseases like COVID-19. It highlights the significant recent developments in biomaterial design, scaffold construction, and stem cell-based therapies to treat tissue damage and COVID-19-linked immunological dysregulation. It also highlights the potential contribution of biomaterials towards creating novel treatment strategies to manage COVID-19.

A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON THE STRUCTURAL, ELECTRICAL, AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF BISMUTH FERRITE

In recent years, multiferroic compounds have earned the interest of the scientific community due to their potential applications. Bismuth Ferrite possesses ferroelectricity and antiferromagnetism in the same phase. Being the multiferroic in the same phase, it is an ideal candidate for potential applications in devices. Regardless of this, the application of this material is limited due to factors like high leakage current and larger dielectric loss. Multiferroic properties can be improved by adding elements to maximize its applications. Researchers have examined the structural, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of the parent and doped BFO. Here, some general information on the preparation techniques of bismuth ferrite and its properties are discussed.

Jarad A, M. M. Al-Zinkee J, H. Al-Noor T, M. El-ajaily M, Abdalla M, Min K, Azam M, K. Mohapatra R. Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial studies, and molecular docking studies of transition metal complexes formed from a benzothiazole-based azo ligand

ABSTRACT. The azo ligand obtained from the diazotization reaction of 2-aminobenzothiazole and 4-nitroaniline yielded a novel series of complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions. The complexes were investigated using spectral techniques such as UV-Vis, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic analyses, LC-MS and atomic absorption spectrometry, electrical conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility. The molar ratio of the synthesized compounds was determined using the ligand exchange ratio, which revealed the metal-ligand ratios in the isolated complexes were 1:2. The synthesized complexes were tested for antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis bacterial species. Additionally, their binding affinities were predicted using molecular docking analysis, and their pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness properties were evaluated. KEY WORDS: Azo ligand, Metal complexes, Antimicrobial studies, Molecular docking study Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(4), 931-944. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i4.10

A review on 4D printing of Nickel-Titanium smart alloy processing, the effect of major parameters and their biomedical applications

Nickel-Titanium smart alloys gradually widen their industrial demand due to their inherent structural and functional characteristics. Due to advanced properties such as shape memory effect (SME), superelasticity (SE), corrosion resistance, and better damping property, NiTi is the focus of interest among all the advanced materials. The domain of additive manufacturing (AM) is explored as the 3D print designed parts that sweep the conventional subtractive manufacturing process. Currently, smart structure fabrication by AM is a novel approach. This review paper gives a foundational understanding of NiTi smart alloy fabrication by various AM processes and their application in health care industry. 4D printing methodologies, especially the selective laser melting (SLM) process, are carefully discussed here by considering the sensing parameters for NiTi.

Biswal S, K. Mohapatra R. EXPLORING THE ROLE OF A BIO-SURFACTANT IN THE STABILIZATION OF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED IRON ORE SLURRY

The formulation and stabilization of highly concentrated solid-water slurry for transportation are gaining high interest. The influence of saponin extracted from A. auriculiformis on the stabilization of a high-grade iron ore sample in the slurry was studied. The collected iron ore powder and dried iron ore slurry samples were compared with the help of UV-vis, XRF, XRD, SEM, and EDS analysis. Moreover, the DSC spectral graph for both heat flow and mass loss with respect to time is plotted. The results confirmed that the surfactant molecules (aqueous A. auriculiformis) coated well on the iron surface which form an effective barrier between the iron ore particles. Further, the solubility of iron ore powder increased after adding an aqueous extract of Acacia auriculiformis as evident from the UV-vis spectral study.

Enhancing conductivity in polymers: The role of metal ions in conducting polymer systems

As metal ion inclusion has a substantial effect on conducting polymer's mechanical, optical, and electrical properties, it has attracted a lot of attention. This article delves into the complex role of metal ions in conducting polymers, explaining how they affect functionality, structural stability, and conductivity enhancement. The review starts with a synopsis of conducting polymers and doping processes before diving into the particular ways that metal ions interact with polymer matrices to alter their electronic structure and charge transport characteristics. The importance of characterization techniques in comprehending the structure–property correlations is highlighted in the discussion of metal‐ion doped conducting polymer studies. In addition, the paper looks at the uses of conducting polymers doped with metal ions in numerous sectors, including energy storage, electronics, and sensors. The difficulties in attaining accurate control over doping concentrations and guaranteeing stability over an extended period are discussed, as well as potential avenues for future development in this area. This review offers important insights into the development and optimization of functional materials for a variety of applications by thoroughly investigating the function of metal ions in conducting polymers.