Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) plays an important role in assessing children with learning difficulties or related behavioral issues. Understanding EEG alterations in students with learning difficulties is crucial for evaluating cognitive functioning. Objective: The first aim was to examine the effects of the Program for Enhancing Academic and Behavioral Learning Skills (PEABLS), a cognitive-behavioral intervention on absolute and relative EEG band powers under eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions. Another aim was to examine the relationship between relative band powers of EEG waveforms through specific cognitive measurements like IQ, working memory and BGT for perceptual motor skills and organization. Methods: This study had a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test research design and involved a group of 50 students with learning problems. PEABLS, an accessible school-based intervention, was offered to academically low-performing students. EEG recordings were conducted before and after the intervention on prefrontal (FP1 FP2), temporal (T3 T4) and occipital (O1 O2) scalp locations. The data acquired were processed using MATLAB to find the absolute and relative band powers of waveforms. Results: Paired t tests on the recorded EEG data suggested that significant improvements in absolute and relative power values of waveforms were achieved, post-intervention. There were significant increases in relative alpha power values in the prefrontal and temporal regions under both eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions and significant increases in relative theta and delta power in the prefrontal and temporal regions. Pearson's correlation suggested that there was a significant relationship between relative alpha and beta power values in the prefrontal and occipital regions, through the cognitive measurements. Conclusion: PEABLS was significative in bringing changes to EEG band powers.

Evidence suggested that mindfulness-based techniques have been effective in increasing psychological well-being. The present meta-analytic study aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness-based programmes on anxiety, and depression in cancer infected and survivors. Improvement in mindfulness across groups were also studied. Using various search items (e.g., MBCT, MBSR, Cancer). A systematic search of the electronic databases, reference list, and journal content lists were conducted from June 2011 to June 2020. Fourteen randomized controlled trials (N = 1831) evaluating effect of mindfulness in reducing anxiety and depression in cancer, measuring at pre-and-post interventions were included in this study. Random effects model was utilized for effect-size calculation. Interventions were between 5-8 weeks, with majority of participants been female (98.79%). Significant medium effect was observed for anxiety (g = 0.34) and depression (g = 0.32) with moderate heterogeneity and higher for mindfulness (g = 1.061) with high heterogeneity. Publication bias was not observed. Mindfulness has substantial effects in reducing anxiety and depression in cancer infected and survivors.

Right now, our world is in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global spread of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has dramatically increased the number of suspected cases with an expanding geographical area. The rapid identification of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic contacts is the priority for clinical management and outbreak control. Suspected cases should be screened for the virus with a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) such as real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) under the guidance of laboratory experts. Materials and methods This manuscript details the process of the establishment of a COVID-19 lab, which is a medical college virology lab (Viral Research Diagnostic Lab), in less than a months' time. Detailed data of the tests were studied over the initial one month and reported. Results Within one and a half months of the start of the lab, 3196 tests were conducted, which caters to five adjoining districts in Western Odisha. These included both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases (contacts with a travel history from affected areas), and six COVID-19 positive cases were detected. Conclusion Though the establishment of a COVID-19 lab in a short time is a challenge, it can be achieved through determination, teamwork, and support from the authorities.