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The term machine learning refers to a collection of tools used for identifying patterns in data. As opposed to traditional methods of pattern identification, machine learning tools relies on artificial intelligence to map out patters from large amounts of data, can self-improve as and when new data becomes available and is quicker in accomplishing these tasks. This review describes various techniques of machine learning that have been used in the past in the prediction, detection and management of infectious diseases, and how these tools are being brought into the battle against COVID-19. In addition, we also discuss their applications in various stages of the pandemic, the advantages, disadvantages and possible pit falls.

During the in-depth review process, every time a member of the team decides to include an article in the systematic review or meta-analysis, a transaction will be made on the chain. [...]every new iteration of the analysis process can be captured. [...]we believe that with new software and dedicated training time, this blockchain-based system can have implementations that streamline and simplify the literature review process for the authors and auditing process for the reviewers and the scientific community. Since systematic reviews are regarded as the highest quality ofevidence in the scientific community, we need to ensure that the making of one is through a scientific and rigorous review process, and we believe that this blockchain-based system will make significant strides in that direction.Declaration of interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

The present study was designed to develop once-daily sustained-release matrix tablet of Metformin HCl, an anti-diabetic agent. Chitosan a biocompatible polymer and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP), an enteric coating polymer were used as matrix material. IR- spectra indicates absence of drug-excipient interaction. The granules for tablets prepared by the wet granulation technique were evaluated for angle of repose, bulk density, and compressibility index. The thickness, diameter, weight variation, drug content, hardness, friability, and in vitro release studies of the prepared tablets were recorded and found within stated limits. Eight formulations (A-?) of metformin HCl were prepared by wet granulation technique. Formulation (A) was prepared by using PVP in isopropyl alcohol as a binding agent. Formulations (B-?) were prepared by gradually decreasing the concentration of chitosan and HPMCP (35 to 5 mg each) for optimizing drug release. The result revealed that formulation G with 10 mg each of chitosan and HPMCP exhibits sustained pattern both in acidic pH of stomach as well as in the alkaline pH of intestine. The dissolution data obtained was fitted to various mathematical kinetic models and the release mechanism supported non-Ficknian diffusion. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

The medicinal plant sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) accumulates bioactive ursane- and oleanane-type pentacyclic triterpenes (PCTs), ursolic acid and oleanolic acid, respectively, in a spatio-temporal manner; however, the biosynthetic enzymes and their contributions towards PCT biosynthesis remain to be elucidated. Two CYP716A subfamily cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP716A252 and CYP716A253) are identified from a methyl jasmonate-responsive expression sequence tag collection and functionally characterized, employing yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) expression platform and adapting virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in sweet basil. CYP716A252 and CYP716A253 catalyzed sequential three-step oxidation at the C-28 position of α-amyrin and β-amyrin to produce ursolic acid and oleanolic acid, respectively. Although CYP716A253 was more efficient than CYP716A252 for amyrin C-28 oxidation in yeast, VIGS revealed essential roles for both of these CYP716As in constitutive biosynthesis of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid in sweet basil leaves. However, CYP716A253 played a major role in elicitor-induced biosynthesis of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. Overall, the results suggest similar as well as distinct roles of CYP716A252 and CYP716A253 for the spatio-temporal biosynthesis of PCTs. CYP716A252 and CYP716A253 might be useful for the alternative and sustainable production of PCTs in microbial host, besides increasing plant metabolite content through genetic modification.

Dengue remains one of the most serious and widespread mosquito-borne viral infections in human beings, with serious health problems or even death. About 50 to 100 million people are newly infected annually, with almost 2.5 billion people living at risk and resulting in 20,000 deaths. Dengue virus infection is especially transmitted through bites of Aedes mosquitos, hugely spread in tropical and subtropical environments, mostly found in urban and semiurban areas. Unfortunately, there is no particular therapeutic approach, but prevention, adequate consciousness, detection at earlier stage of viral infection, and appropriate medical care can lower the fatality rates. This review offers a comprehensive view of production, transmission, pathogenesis, and control measures of the dengue virus and its vectors.

Background The present study evaluated performance characteristics of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by FibroScan in patients with different stages of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Patients and Methods A total of 307 subjects (120 NAFLD, 85 NAFLD related cirrhosis, and 102 healthy controls) were studied. Results In NAFLD patients, LSM had significant correlation with fibrosis ( r  = 0.68, p  < 0.001), and increased progressively with increasing fibrosis ( p  < 0.001). However, the difference between stage 1 and stage 2 fibrosis was not significant ( p  = 0.07). The LSM in NAFLD without fibrosis and healthy controls was similar ( p  = 0.37). The areas under receiver-operating characteristics (AUROC) curve of LSM for stages ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, and 4 were 0.82, 0.85, 0.94, and 0.96, respectively. The best LSM (kPa) cut-offs for fibrosis stages ≥1, ≥2, ≥3 and 4 were 6.1, 7.0, 9.0, and 11.8, respectively. The negative predictive value of LSM for excluding advanced fibrosis was 95 %. For advanced fibrosis, the AUROC curve of LSM was 0.94, followed by FIB-4 (0.75), BARD score (0.68), NAFLD fibrosis score (0.66), and aspartate platelet ratio index (0.60). In multivariate analysis, LSM was the only independent predictor of advanced fibrosis (odds ratio 1.47). In patients with NAFLD cirrhosis, LSM correlated significantly with Child-Pugh score ( r  = 0.40, p  < 0.001), serum bilirubin ( r  = 0.34, p  = 0.02), and grades of esophageal varices ( r  = 0.23, p  = 0.04). Conclusion LSM is a useful tool for evaluation of patients with NAFLD, and is the best among other non-invasive predictors of liver fibrosis.

We examined the magnitude of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in India and identified policy gaps to ascertain the priorities for SLT control in India and other high SLT burden countries in the Southeast Asia region. We reviewed and analysed the legal and policy framework to identify policy gaps, options and priority areas to address the SLT burden in India and lessons thereof. In India, 21.4% adults, including 29.6% of men, 12.8% of women, use SLT while more than 0.35 million Indians die every year due to SLT use. SLT use remains a huge public health concern for other countries in the region as well. Priority areas for SLT control should include: constant monitoring, increasing taxes and price of SLT products, strengthening and strict enforcement of existing laws, integration of SLT cessation with all health and development programmes, banning of advertisement and promotion of SLT, increasing age of access to tobacco up to 21 years, introducing licensing for the sale of SLT, standardising of SLT packaging and preventing SLT industry interference in the implementation of SLT control policies besides a committed multistakeholder approach for effective policy formulation and enforcement. SLT control in India and the other high SLT burden countries, especially in the Southeast Asia region, should focus on strengthening and implementing the above policy priorities.