Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College

Background/Aim:Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. While low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening improves survival, radiological detection is increasingly challenged by a shortage of radiologists. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel, precise, and computationally efficient AI-based algorithm for lung cancer diagnosis using chest CT scans. Patients and Methods:A total of 156 patient chest CT scans were utilized to form Databases I and II. We then conducted extensive feature extraction [statistics, histograms, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), Walsh-Hadamard Transform (WHT)] and optimized classifiers [Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP), Generalized Feed Forward Neural Network (GFF-NN), Modular Neural Network (MNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM)] with genetic algorithms. Performance evaluation measures employed were classification accuracy, Mean Squared Error (MSE), Area under the ROC curve (AUC), and computational efficiency. Results:The MNN (Topology II) classifier employing FFT-based features with momentum learning achieved 100% classification accuracy during cross-validation for both Database I and Database II, consistently yielding perfect average classification accuracy across both datasets. Conclusion:The genetically optimized MNN (Topology II) classifier shows remarkable performance in lung cancer diagnosis from CT scan images. Its ability to achieve perfect classification accuracy suggests strong potential for clinical application, offering both diagnostic precision, acting as a triage, and workload reduction in healthcare settings.

Adolescence and early adulthood are pivotal periods for the establishment of long-term health behaviors affecting the long-term prevalence of NCDs. We aimed to estimate prevalence of behavioral and biochemical modifiable risk factors for NCDs and predictors of common risk factors for non-communicable diseases in individuals aged 10-30 years. This trial was registered under the Clinical Trials Registration India number CTRI/2020/10/028700; https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/showallp.php?mid1=47597&EncHid=&userName=V-CaN (International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/42450). In this cross-sectional survey done on 12,000 respondents, they were selected by simple random sampling using Health and demographic surveillance system as a sampling frame, we are presenting the results of behavioral, anthropometric risk factors and biochemical risk factors for a subsample of 1600. We have also created a best-fit regression model for risk factors as outcome variables. The average consumption of salt and sugar per person per day was 8.7 (± 3.1) and 44.7 (± 18.2) grams. Prevalence of smoking, smokeless tobacco, alcohol consumption, adequate physical activity, obesity, moderate stress, high stress, anxiety and depression was 0.3%, 15.3%, 1.8%, 32.4%, 7.6%, 76.3%, 4.7%, 16% and 27.5% respectively. The mean (SD) levels of lipid panel components were higher in 20-30 years. Age group, education level, occupation, marital status, alcohol consumers, smokeless tobacco consumers, stress, anxiety, depression and elevated BP significantly affected the modifiable risk factors for NCDs. The risk factor for NCDs’ prevalence is high among adolescents and frequent screening through such surveys may be considered so that timely intervention can be done to reduce the prevalence of NCDs. The current policies around tobacco consumption focuses on smoking, more stringent laws should be made about the use of chewable tobacco as well. Screening of the younger generation for various NCDs as well as their risk factors can be considered under various programs like RKSK, RBSK, NP-NCD, NFHS etc. to ensure that we recognize this as a public health concern and take timely policy-based actions. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Clinical Trial Clinical Trials Registration India CTRI/2020/10/028700 https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/showallp.php?mid1=47597&EncHid=&userName=V-CaN International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/42450 ### Clinical Protocols ### Funding Statement This study was funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, as a Ad-hoc Project vide letter 5/4/8-23/CD/AVR/2021-NCD-ll with Proposal Id: 2020-4652. Abhishek Raut was the primary recipient of the Research Grant. None of the Authors received any salary from this Grant. ICMR did not have any role in study design, data collection, data analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethics approval has been obtained from the institutional ethics committee, before the start of the trial vide letter MGIMS/IEC/COMMED/79/2020. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Background: Effective communication skills are necessary for patient satisfaction, compliance with treatment plans, and ethical medical practice. The competency-based curriculum in India implemented AETCOM modules from the first year of MBBS to teach such skills early. However, there are few studies reporting student feedback on the importance and impact of these modules. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of AETCOM module 3.1 on doctor–patient communication skills among Phase III MBBS students using pretest and posttest assessment. Material and Methods: This pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study was conducted in a central India tertiary care institute from August to September 2025. Out of 200 Phase III MBBS students, 184 were included after taking consent, who underwent interactive sessions on the Kalamazoo Consensus Statement. Knowledge gain was measured using a structured 10-item multiple-choice question (MCQ) questionnaire using Kobo Tool mobile application (paired t-test, p<0.05), while feedback was measured on a 5-point Likert scale (Cronbach's alpha=0.92). Jamovi version 2.6.44 & R software version 4.5.2 used for analysis. paired t-test used to compare mean scores. Frequencies and percentages for student feedback. Results: Mean pretest score was 6.36±1.58, while mean post-test score improved significantly by 8.61±1.21 (t=-15.3, p<0.001). Overall, 67.4% were strongly agreed, 31.5% were agreed whereas 0.5% were neutral/strongly disagreed on satisfaction with AETCOM communication session. Conclusion: AETCOM Competency 3.1 is effective in improving the communication skills of the third professional (Part I) MBBS students. Students feedback evokes high satisfaction of session.

Prediabetes is a condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels that are below the threshold for the diagnosis of diabetes. It is also an early indicator of long-term complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of prediabetes and identify associated social factors among children and adolescents in India. Observational studies published between 2008 and 2024 were included following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for studies involving Indian participants aged 6–19 years. Eligibility screening was performed in two stages by independent reviewers. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. A random-effects model was used to compute the pooled prevalence. Fourteen studies (n = 48,454) were included. The pooled prevalence of prediabetes was 10

With the double burden of diseases on the rise, particularly in LMICs, empowering the community with regard to primary health care related to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) could be a game-changer. Thus, the department of Community Medicine from the institute worked with the community and together, they developed and established “Kiran Clinics”-community-owned primary healthcare clinics, in a few of the villages within the institution’s field practice area. To compare the medication adherence of elderly patients diagnosed with NCDs residing in the villages with and without Community Owned Clinics [COCs]. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study of two months duration with 192 patients using simple random sampling, which compared medication adherence for NCDs (Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus) from villages where COC was operational to those villages where COC was not established. We included participants with a minimum of one-year residency in the study. The survey questionnaire, inclusive of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8), was employed to measure adherence to treatment, enriching the study’s depth on healthcare experiences. The study revealed a statistically significant difference between the medication adherence in the elderly patients of NCDs in COC and non-COC settings (p value:0.002). Logistic regression for medication adherence showed statistically significant impact of COC visits (aOR for COC Non visitors: 0.34 [CI 0.13,0.90] and aOR for Non-COCs: 0.36 [CI 0.14,0.92]) and employment status (aOR: 2.40 [CI 1.17,4.95]) of the elderly. The study underlines the importance of community-owned clinics in better medication adherence in elderly patients suffering from NCDs, highlighting the importance of community participation and ownership in primary health care.