Study of Different Deep Learning Approach with Explainable AI for Screening Patients with COVID-19 Symptoms: Using CT Scan and Chest X-ray Image Dataset

The outbreak of COVID-19 disease caused more than 100,000 deaths so far in the USA alone. It is necessary to conduct an initial screening of patients with the symptoms of COVID-19 disease to control the spread of the disease. However, it is becoming laborious to conduct the tests with the available testing kits due to the growing number of patients. Some studies proposed CT scan or chest X-ray images as an alternative solution. Therefore, it is essential to use every available resource, instead of either a CT scan or chest X-ray to conduct a large number of tests simultaneously. As a result, this study aims to develop a deep learning-based model that can detect COVID-19 patients with better accuracy both on CT scan and chest X-ray image dataset. In this work, eight different deep learning approaches such as VGG16, InceptionResNetV2, ResNet50, DenseNet201, VGG19, MobilenetV2, NasNetMobile, and ResNet15V2 have been tested on two dataset-one dataset includes 400 CT scan images, and another dataset includes 400 chest X-ray images studied. Besides, Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) is used to explain the model's interpretability. Using LIME, test results demonstrate that it is conceivable to interpret top features that should have worked to build a trust AI framework to distinguish between patients with COVID-19 symptoms with other patients.Comment: This is a work in progress, it should not be relied upon without context to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information without consulting multiple experts in the fiel

Enhanced Case Detection and Improved Diagnosis of PKDL in a Kala-azar-Endemic Area of Bangladesh

PKDL is a skin disorder which usually develops in 10–20% and about 60% of patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) after treatment respectively in the Indian subcontinent and Sudan. However, cases among people without prior VL have also been reported. Except skin lesion, PKDL patients are healthy and usually do not feel sick. However, persistence of a few PKDL cases is sufficient to initiate a new epidemic of anthroponotic VL. Thus, identifying and treating people with PKDL is a key strategy for the elimination of kala-azar. Diagnosis of PKDL relies upon clinical criteria and a serological test which is not specific for PKDL. The use of the existing laboratory diagnostic tools for confirmation of PKDL among PKDL suspects is unknown. In the Indian subcontinent, PKDL is not self-limited and needs to be treated with sodium stibogluconate injections for 4–6 months. No data are available relating to treatment compliance by patients, particularly in Bangladesh. The results of the present study showed that trained village volunteers were useful for identifying PKDL suspects, and diagnostic confirmation improved with the use of PCR. However, patients' adherence to prescribed treatment was poor

Epidemiology of smokeless tobacco consumption among South Asian people in Australia and rural women in Bangladesh

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)This thesis by publication is composed of a rationale, objectives, brief literature review, four papers, and a final chapter providing a conclusion and recommendations. At the time of submission, two papers have been published and a further two have been submitted to peer reviewed journals. Chapter 1 provides an overview of adverse pregnancy outcomes, stillbirth and smokeless tobacco consumption (STC), a brief literature review of the prevalence of STC, forms of smokeless tobacco products, reasons for STC, and health consequences of STC. It also describes the rationale for studying STC and stillbirth and for conducting this study in Australia and Bangladesh; and presents research questions, objectives, and a statement regarding ethical approval. Chapter 2 (Paper 1), reports an analytic cross-sectional study conducted among the South Asian ethnic population in Sydney, Australia. The title of the paper is “Smokeless tobacco consumption in the South Asian population of Sydney, Australia: prevalence, correlates and availability”, published in the Drug and Alcohol Review. The study showed that prevalence of ever consumption, more than 100 times consumption and current consumption were 72.1%, 65.9% and 17.1%. Over 96% of consumers reported buying smokeless tobacco products from ethnic shops in Sydney. Current consumption of smokeless tobacco products was associated with country of birth: Indians (odds ratio 5.7, 95% confidence interval 2.3-14.5) and Pakistanis (odds ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval 1.5-6.5) were more likely to be current consumers than Bangladeshis after adjusting for socio-demographic variables. Chapter 3 (Paper 2), reports a large population-based analytic cross-sectional study conducted among married women in Madaripur, Bangladesh. The title of the paper is “Prevalence and Correlates of Smokeless Tobacco Consumption among Married Women in Rural Bangladesh”, published in PLoS ONE. The study showed that 31% of the cohort had never consumed smokeless tobacco, 44% were ever consumers but not current consumers, 25% were current consumers, and the mean age at first use was 31.5 years. After adjustment for demographic variables, current consumption was associated with being over 25 years of age (aOR=3.08, 95% CI: 2.26–4.20), being unemployed (aOR=7.00, 95% CI: 5.45–8.98), being Muslim, and being divorced or widowed (aOR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.42–2.29). Chapter 4 (Paper 3), “Health knowledge and smokeless tobacco quit attempts and intentions among married women in rural Bangladesh” has been submitted to Addiction. It reports that 45% of current consumers thought STC was good for their health and many ascribed medicinal values to it, e.g., 25% thought STC helped reduce stomach ache. Only 10% intended to quit while a quarter had previously tried to quit. Inaccurate knowledge of STC health consequences was associated with being older (aOR=2.65, 95% CI: 1.99–3.50), being less educated (aOR=2.04, 95% CI: 1.56–2.66), being Muslim (aOR=5.59, CI: 3.60–8.68), being unemployed (aOR=31.9, CI: 26.9–37.8), and being an income earner (aOR= 4.22, CI: 2.90–6.14). Having less education (aOR=2.52, CI: 0.98–6.45) and being unemployed (aOR=1.52, CI: 1.03–2.23) were associated with quitting intentions. Chapter 5 (Paper 4), reports a case-control study: “Smokeless tobacco consumption and stillbirth: Case-control study in Bangladesh”, finding an association between STC and stillbirth among married women in Madaripur, Bangladesh. This paper has been submitted to the British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. A 3.6 fold (95% CI: 1.90–6.90) increase in the odds of stillbirth was observed in women who consumed smokeless tobacco during their first pregnancy. Heavier users (>5 times daily) were at higher risk of having a stillbirth (aOR = 5.15, 95% CI: 1.67–15.8) than were less heavy users (1–5 times per day, aOR 1.67, CI: 0.67–4.17). Chapter 6 provides a conclusion and recommendations. The research reveals a high prevalence of STC in the South Asian population of Sydney and among women in rural Bangladesh. The case-control study revealed a dose-effect relationship between STC and stillbirth. The knowledge of women regarding the health risks of STC is poor and there are many myths circulating about supposed health benefits of STC. In Bangladesh, health awareness campaigns in mass media and school education should be used to improve knowledge of the harm of STC. Routine screening and cessation advice should be provided in primary healthcare settings, and consideration should be given to methods of regulating the smokeless tobacco market. In Australia, where mechanisms exist to control the supply of smokeless tobacco, enforcement of existing laws should be the priority

Formulation of Ketorolac Tromethamine for Controlled Release in Gastrointestinal and Colonic Delivery System

A suitable matrix system of ketorolac tromethamine (KTR) formulation has been developed with the aim of increasing the contact time, achieving controlled release, reducing the frequency of administration, improving patient compliance. In this concern an enteric-coated KTR matrix tablet intended for specific delivery of drugs to the colon by combining the use of a time dependent core with a pH-sensitive film coating. Eudragit L100, with a threshold pH 7, was selected as coating material.  New formulation is proved to be noble as to KTR delivery through both gastrointestinal and colonic system. New formulation is considered to reduce gastrointestinal side effects and achieve high local drug concentration at the afflicted site in the gastro-intestine and colon.

Smokeless tobacco consumption in the South Asian population of Sydney, Australia: prevalence, correlates and availability

Aim.: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of smokeless tobacco consumption among the South Asian residents of Sydney, Australia. Methods.: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pretested, self-administered mailed questionnaire among members of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi community associations in Sydney. Results.: Of 1600 individuals invited to participate, 419 responded (26%). Prevalence rates of ever consumption, more than 100 times consumption and current consumption were 72.1%, 65.9% and 17.1%, respectively. Men (74.3%) were more likely to ever consume than women (67.6%). Over 96% of consumers reported buying smokeless tobacco products from ethnic shops in Sydney. Current consumption of smokeless tobacco products was associated with country of birth: Indians (odds ratio 5.7, 95% confidence interval 2.3-14.5) and Pakistanis (odds ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval 1.5-6.5) were more likely to be current consumers than Bangladeshis after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. For ever consumption, there was a positive association with age (P for trend=0.013) and male gender (odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.5-3.1). Conclusions.: Given the availability of smokeless tobacco and the high prevalence and potential adverse health consequences of consumption, smokeless tobacco consumption may produce a considerable burden of non-communicable disease in Australia. Effective control measures are needed, in particular enforcement of existing laws prohibiting the sale of these products

Arctic-like Rabies Virus, Bangladesh

Arctic/Arctic-like rabies virus group 2 spread into Bangladesh ≈32 years ago. Because rabies is endemic to and a major public health problem in this country, we characterized this virus group. Its glycoprotein has 3 potential N-glycosylation sites that affect viral pathogenesis. Diversity of rabies virus might have public health implications in Bangladesh

Automated System to Facilitate Class Attendance using Convolutional Neural Network

<p>Tracking attendance is central to educational and institutional management. Traditional attendance recording methods are frequently tricky, time-consuming, and error-prone. To overcome these issues, automatic attention systems based on biometric artificial intelligence (AI) have been developed as a game-changing solution. In this paper, we suggested a customized convolutional neural network (CNN) model-based student attendance system that leverages facial recognition technology to track student attendance reliably and effectively. Our system is intended to demonstrate that it is feasible to overcome the constraints of standard attendance tracking systems to deliver a more secure and trustworthy alternative. The proposed system was tested and evaluated on a data set of student images, reaching excellent accuracy and indicating its potential for real-world applications. Our findings indicate that the suggested method has the potential to improve attendance tracking in educational and institutional settings considerably. As shown in the classification report and confusion matrix, the CNN model achieved a perfect classification rate with 100% precision, recall, accuracy, and F1-score</p&gt

Prevalence and correlates of smokeless tobacco consumption among married women in rural Bangladesh

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of smokeless tobacco consumption among married rural women with a history of at least one pregnancy in Madaripur, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using an interviewer administered, pre-tested, semistructured questionnaire. All women living in the study area, aged 18 years and above with at least one pregnancy in their lifetime, who were on the electoral roll and agreed to participate were included in the study. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and smokeless tobacco consumption was collected. Smokeless tobacco consumption was categorized as ‘Current’, ‘Ever but not current’ and ‘Never’. Associations between smokeless tobacco consumption and the explanatory variables were estimated using simple and multiple binary logistic regression. Results: 8074 women participated (response rate 99.9%). The prevalence of ‘Current consumption’, ‘Ever consumption but not current’, and ‘Never consumption’ was 25%, 44% and 31%, respectively. The mean age at first use was 31.5 years. 87% of current consumers reported using either Shadapata or Hakimpuree Jarda. Current consumption was associated with age, level of education, religion, occupation, being an income earner, marital status, and age at first use of smokeless tobacco. After adjustment for demographic variables, current consumption was associated with being over 25 years of age, a lower level of education, being an income earner, being Muslim, and being divorced, separated or widowed. Conclusion: The prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption is high among rural women in Bangladesh and the age of onset is considerably older than that for smoking. Smokeless tobacco consumption is likely to be producing a considerable burden of non-communicable disease in Bangladesh. Smokeless tobacco control strategies should be implemented