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Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) remains challenging due to complex psychiatric symptoms and limited neurobiological evidence. To address this, an automatic model is developed in this study for detecting ASD and Typically Developing (TD) individuals. The Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) dataset, which includes structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (sMRI), is used in this study for model evaluation. The proposed methodology consists of two main stages: preprocessing and model optimization. In the preprocessing stage, unclear images are discarded, and edges are detected using the Canny Deriche Edge Detection (CDED) algorithm. Subsequently, images are resized, and data augmentation techniques are applied. The Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNN) are fine-tuned using the Dipper-Throated Particle Swarm Optimization (DTPSO) algorithm. Additionally, Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) is utilized to visualize and interpret the model’s decision-making process. The proposed model has shown the highest performance with a 95.9% accuracy, 96.5% precision, 95.9% sensitivity, 95.9% specificity, a 96.2% F1-score, and a 94.5% AUC. These results validate the effectiveness of the proposed CDED-DCNN-DTPSO approach in detecting ASD compared to the DCNN-DTPSO model. The proposed model demonstrates higher accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, F1-score, and AUC, indicating its performance in identifying ASD.

Purpose of Review: Artificial sweeteners have become increasingly popular in today's dietary trends as a healthier and sweeter alternative to sugar. As studies emerge regarding artificial sweeteners, concerns are arising about their side effects, particularly linking them to strokes. This systematic review aims to assess the relationship between artificial sweeteners (AS) and cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs). A systematic search of studies indexed in PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted using the keywords "ASB" (artificially sweetened beverage), "Artificial Sweeteners," "Stroke," etc. These studies were screened and filtered according to our exclusion criteria. We reviewed 55 studies published in various journals and further boiled down to finalizing 12 studies for analysis using the PRISMA Statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020., Recent Findings: Most studies suggest that there is a positive association between artificial sweetener consumption and CVAs including all types of strokes, particularly ischemic strokes. Poorer outcomes are seen with higher ASB intake. Increased risk is notable among women and black populations. Some studies show no association between ASB consumption and hemorrhagic stroke, however, most suggest a strong link. The current literature shows a degree of variation so it is crucial to consider possible confounders and eliminate them in future studies. Further research is necessary to determine the underlying mechanisms, especially in individuals with comorbidities. The results obtained play a role in forming dietary guidelines and alarming the public about the possible health implications, prompting caution regarding excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners, in their daily lives., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Periodontal diseases (PDs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are highly prevalent global diseases with increasing percentages of morbidity and mortality. Both PD and CVDs independently have multifactorial causation, and emerging evidence shows an association between PD and CVDs. Periodontal diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory conditions that eventually cause systemic inflammation, leading to many systemic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and others. In this study, we followed a systematic review approach to give an overview of the current evidence on the association between PD and CVDs. We used a relevant search strategy to retrieve articles from databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar from 2013 to July 2023. Upon applying filters and screening through titles and abstracts, we could narrow down articles to 21. On full-text screening, we selected 10 articles for in-depth analysis. This study showed a significant correlation between PD and CVDs. Poor oral hygiene, infection, and inflammation in the oral cavity lead to systemic inflammation, causing endothelial dysfunction. There are controversial views about PD acting as an independent risk factor for CVD development, as there are other risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, etc. acting as confounding factors while establishing the link between PD and CVDs. Knowledge about oral health, maintaining good oral hygiene, and proper treatment for PD could reduce the incidence of CVDs. Further research is needed to prove that PD is an independent risk factor for CVDs., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Etta et al.)

Early exposure to bisphenol may result in adverse reproductive health in later life. The use of bisphenol S (BPS) has increased considerably after bisphenol A (BPA) is regulated worldwide. However, little is known about the fetal exposure to BPS compared with BPA and its effects on the reproductive system in the adult male offspring. Here, we investigated the effects of orally administered BPS and BPA (0.4, 4.0, 40.0 μg/kg bw/d) during gestation (gD4-21) on testicular development by evaluating the sperm DNA damage & methylation and testicular functions in the 90 d Wistar rats. Male offspring prenatally exposed to BPS (0.4 μg/kg) had higher plasma testosterone than BPA and control. The testis histology reveals thickened membrane by producing a wide interstitial gap between seminiferous tubules, increased testicular inflammation, oxidative stress, TIMP-1 expression, and decreased VCAM-1 expression. BPS promotes apoptosis by up-regulating IL-6, cleaved caspases, and a spike in sperm DNA fragmentation. Prenatal BPS exposure reduces sperm motility mediated via impaired PI3K-AKT signaling and increases testicular TEX11 expression in the offspring. Exposure of the fetus to BPS interferes developmental programming of the male reproductive system in the offspring. BPS could be an equally potent endocrine disruptor affecting male reproductive functions., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)