All-optical approaches to change the wavelength of a data signal are considered more energy- and cost-effective than current wavelength conversion schemes that rely on back and forth switching between the electrical and optical domains. However, the lack of cost-effective materials with sufficiently adequate optoelectronic properties hampers the development of this so-called all-optical wavelength conversion. Here, we show that the interplay between intraband and band gap absorption in colloidal quantum dots leads to a very strong and ultrafast modulation of the light absorption after photoexcitation in which slow components linked to exciton recombination are eliminated. This approach enables all-optical wavelength conversion at rates matching state-of-the-art convertors in speed, yet with cost-effective solution-processable materials. Moreover, the stronger light–matter interaction allows for implementation in small-footprint devices with low switching energies. Being a generic property, the demonstrated effect opens a pathway toward low-power integrated photonics based on colloidal quantum dots as the enabling material.
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Medicine by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis,Anapafseos 5 Agios Nikolaos,Crete 72100,Greece,tel :00302841026182 & 00306932607174
Δευτέρα 1 Φεβρουαρίου 2016
All-optical wavelength conversion by picosecond burst absorption in colloidal PbS quantum dots
Intimate partner violence victimization among non-heterosexuals: prevalence and associations with mental and sexual well-being
This study focused on intimate partner violence (IPV) among non-heterosexuals in Flanders. Prevalence rates were explored and compared with heterosexual IPV using a first representative sample consisting of 1690 heterosexuals and non-heterosexual individuals. A second convenience sample consisting of 2401 non-heterosexual individuals was used to determine differences between women and men and to explore associations between IPV and victims' well-being. Physical and psychological IPV inflicted by the current/former partner were reported by 14.5 and 57.9 % of the non-heterosexuals, respectively. Non-heterosexuals and heterosexuals were equally likely to report physical and psychological IPV. Furthermore, non-heterosexual women and men reported similar physical, sexual, and psychological IPV. However, female victims experienced more frequent acts of psychological IPV. IPV was negatively associated with victims' well-being.
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A phonon scattering bottleneck for carrier cooling in lead chalcogenide nanocrystals
The cooling dynamics of hot charge carriers in colloidal lead chalcogenide nanocrystals is studied by hyperspectral transient absorption spectroscopy. We demonstrate a transient accumulation of charge carriers at a high energy critical point in the Brillouin zone. Using a theoretical study of the cooling rate in lead chalcogenides, we attribute this slowing down of charge carrier cooling to a phonon scattering bottleneck around this critical point. The relevance of this observation for the possible harvesting of the excess energy of hot carriers by schemes such as multiexciton generation is discussed.
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Anti-VEGF treatment in Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: preliminary results of a long-term ophthalmological follow-up
The pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) retinopathy is characterized by peau d'orange and angioid streaks, with choroidal neovascularization, subretinal bleeding and (central) blindness as most severe complications. Among all features in the PXE phenotypic spectrum, the retinopathy is considered to have the highest impact on quality of life of PXE patients. The introduction of anti-angiogenic treatment using antibodies against Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), such as ranibizumab or bevacizumab over a decade ago and more recently aflibercept, led to a tremendous improvement of the patients' ophthalmological prognoses by preventing blindness in numerous PXE patients. As such it has become the standard-of-care in the treatment of the complications resulting from the PXE retinopathy. Moreover, in some cases, intra-ocular anti-VEGF injections are being used in a preventive manner. In this study, we have compared fundus imaging of patients prior to the anti-VEGF era with patients who underwent multiple anti-VEGF injections. Further, the PXE patient cohort treated with anti-VEGF drugs was thoroughly assessed with longitudinal follow up comparing the ophthalmological phenotype prior to and after treatment. Visual acuity, anatomical and functional characteristics of the retinopathy were characterized using BCVA measurement (1/20: 2 letters; starting from 1/10: 5 letters per vision level), slit-lamp, Goldman visual field examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus imaging with white light, infrared and blue reflectance, infrared and blue autofluorescence and a fluorescein angiography if needed. We will describe the evolution of the ophthalmological phenotype with and without anti-VEGF treatment. Importantly, we observed retinal fibrosis in some of our patients who underwent multiple anti-VEGF injections in order to preserve their eyesight. Fibrosis, a complication, which has already been described in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, can indeed on its own deteriorate the patients' vision. Very recently, in vitro experiments showed an upregulation of pro-fibrotic agents after application of clinical doses of bevacizumab, thereby identifying a causal link between anti-VEGF treatment and retinal fibrosis. As a consequence, concerns must arise about the long-term effects and safety of anti-VEGF treatment. In conclusion, it might not be beneficial to use anti-VEGF treatment unlimitedly, e.g. in a preventive setting, in PXE. In absence of good clinical guidelines, the time has come to draft the criteria for anti-VEGF treatment in PXE patients.
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The aid of TRNSYS simulation for the conservation of an artwork: a case study
Due to secularization more and more churches lose their original function, that is a place to worship, and become a place of cultural interest. To fulfil the comfort demands, a heating system or a HVAC-system was installed. These systems however impose new boundary conditions for the interior objects like paintings,. which may lead to damage. The case of the Saint-Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium is presented in this paper. In this church hangs the valuable polyptic 'The adoration of the mystic Lamb' painted by van Eyck. Use was made of a computer simulation to get insight in the working of different solutions to combine comfort and preservation. Because we want to be able in first instance to evaluate a whole year, a BES-software, was used. Using the dynamic simulation code TRNSYS the system performance in controlling thermal-hygrometric ambient parameters were obtained.
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Performance of natural, exhaust, demand controlled exhaust and heat recovery residential ventilation systems as prescribed by the standards in 5 European countries
Over the last decades, residential ventilation standards have been integrated in most of the buildings codes of European countries. Contrarily to the consolidation effort in the development of the nonresidential ventilation standard EN 13779, most of the residential ventilation standards have been drafted in a prescriptive way, with disparate sizing prescriptions in the different countries. Due to these differences in ventilation requirements, the reference levels for ventilation heat loss and associated indoor air quality is different in each country. The energy saving potential for demand controlled systems is therefore different in each country as well. In this paper, the performance of natural, exhaust and mechanical residential ventilation as prescribed by the standards of 5 European countries with moderate climate is assessed with regard to perceived air quality and odour spread as well as heating season integrated ventilation heat loss using multi zone simulations with local climate data. These results are then used to calculate the energy saving potential of a demand controlled exhaust ventilation system based taking into account the trade-off between indoor air quality and heat loss. With results showing that about 50% of ventilation heat loss reductions can be achieved at equivalent indoor air quality levels, we conclude that demand controlled exhaust ventilation has a good potential for reduction of building energy use in moderate climates.
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Detailed heat, air and moisture transport modelling in cavity walls
% Cavity walls are a widely used external wall type in North-western Europe. In this paper a cavity wall configuration was analysed with a heat and moisture transport model for porous materials integrated into a computational fluid dynamics solver. The studied wall is a wood frame wall with a brick veneer as outside leaf. Four cases were analysed in detail: drying of the outside or inside cavity leaf when initially saturated, both for summer and winter conditions. The model was compared with a widely used simulation tool for building envelope analysis (WUFI (R)). This simulation tool uses a simplified modelling approach for the convection in the cavity. The study showed that these simplifications are not always justified. The simplified model overestimates the drying and moistening rates of the cavity wall compared to the detailed model. Both models showed that the drying of the outer leaf is mainly determined by the outside conditions and the outside leaf dries out mainly to the outside and not to the cavity. The cavity ventilation in this case is of less importance. For the inside leaf this cavity ventilation is of mayor importance for drying. The largest discrepancies between both models were found for this inner cavity leaf.
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Evaluation of the applicability of the quasi-steady-state overheating indicator for wooden buildings
EN 13790 suggests some quasi-steady-state overheating indicator to evaluate the summer comfort in buildings. However, only few countries included this method in the rules primarily because the method still needs major improvement. A group of Belgian architects and builders, for instance, indicated that the overheating indicator overestimates the overheating risk in lightweight structures like wooden buildings and asked Ghent University to back up this assertion and, if necessary, to suggest improvements. This paper discusses the first step in the study: an evaluation of the applicability of the overheating indicator for lightweight structures and an analysis of the effect of several building characteristics and the climate on the calculation parameters of the quasi-steady-state method. To this end the authors performed quasi-steady-state calculations and multi-zone energy simulations with TRNSYS. The results revealed that the overheating indicator overestimates the overheating risk in, especially well-insulated and airtight, lightweight structures and that insulation level, thermal capacitance and climate influence the calculation parameters of the method the most.
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The impact of pressure equalization on watertightness of rainscreen systems
Many building components rely on pressure equalization to achieve a good performance in respect to water-tightness. There exist several guideline documents that provide the necessary geometrical constraints to achieve pressure equaliza-tion in a wall assembly but it appears these are only valid for dry conditions. To evaluate the likelihood of pressure equalization for a generic wall assembly during rain events an experimental setup was fabricated and subjected to a sinusoidal pressure loading with varying test parameters. A semi-implicit numerical model was developed and thereafter validated against the results for dry condi-tions. Results derived from simulations of pressure equalization under dry conditions may significantly overestimate the degree of pressure equalization of a wall assembly during rain events. In addition, the significance of pressure equalization in respect to fa-çade design was evaluated based on 6 case-studies. An analysis of several façade components indicates that current construction practice and guidelines are inadequate to achieve good pressure equalization of these assemblies. However, systems that have prov-en their performance in the field do not meet the requirements in respect to pressure equalization. Consequently, the impact of pres-sure equalization for watertightness should not be overrated.
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Reduced-Dose Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy With or Without Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced Oropharyngeal Cancer
Interventions: Drug: Cisplatin; Radiation: Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy; Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis; Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment
Sponsors: NRG Oncology; National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Recruiting - verified January 2016
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Individualized Treatment in Treating Patients With Stage II-IVB Nasopharyngeal Cancer Based on EBV DNA
Interventions: Drug: Cisplatin; Other: Clinical Observation; Drug: Fluorouracil; Drug: Gemcitabine Hydrochloride; Radiation: Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy; Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis; Drug: Paclitaxel; Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment
Sponsors: NRG Oncology; National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Recruiting - verified January 2016
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Radiation Therapy With or Without Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With High-Risk Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors That Have Been Removed By Surgery
Interventions: Drug: cisplatin; Radiation: 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy; Radiation: intensity-modulated radiation therapy
Sponsors: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group; National Cancer Institute (NCI); NRG Oncology
Recruiting - verified January 2016
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Scientific Protocol for the Study of Thyroid Cancer and Other Thyroid Disease in Belarus Following the Chernobyl Accident
Intervention:
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Recruiting - verified January 2016
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Visible-light-induced water oidation by a hybrid photocatalyst consisting of bismuth vanadate and copper(II) meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin
DOI: 10.1039/C5CC10014C, Communication
Copper(II) meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin surface-modified monoclinic sheelite bismuth vanadate (CuTCPP/ms-BiVO4) has been synthesized by a two-step route involving chemisorption of TCPP on ms-BiVO4 and successive Cu(II) ion incorporation into the TCPP, and...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry
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Universal precaution: practice among doctors in a tertiary care hospital in Manipur
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Susmita Chaudhuri, Omkar Prasad Baidya, T. Gambhir Singh.
Background: Health workers especially doctors are always at higher risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens in day to day practice. Universal precaution is the only strategy so that all these infections could be prevented. The objective of the study was to assess the practice of Universal Precautions among doctors & factors influencing its use in a tertiary health centre of Manipur. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted among the doctors in a tertiary health care centre of Manipur during October 2011 to September 2013. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics like percentage was used to describe the findings using SPSS 20. Results: Total respondents were 366 doctors. Response rate was 98%. Total of 125 (34.2%) respondents always used glove as a measure of universal precaution. Hand-washing after removal of gloves was practiced by more than half of the respondents. Around 2 in 10 participants never used personal protective equipments like gown & mask. Around 7 in 10 participants always practiced recapping after use. Total of 150 respondents (41%) used to dispose sharps in sharp and liquid proof container with removing syringe.74.3% mentioned the reasoning of not practicing universal precaution was lack of supply of personal protective equipment. A total of 50 respondents told that emergency situation was also responsible for not adhering to the practice. Work stress (1.6%), time constraint (5.7%), lack of display of guidelines (3.8%) were the reasons mentioned by few of them. Conclusions: Universal precaution practice was poor. Training of the health care workers, proper equipment supply, posters displaying guidelines and proper hospital policy of patient load management would help in improving the implementation of universal precaution thus restoring occupational safety of health care workers.
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Experience with surgical management of intestinal tuberculosis at a rural teaching hospital
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Mohammed Shamim Ali, Prince Pankaj, Deepak Pankaj, Sweta Muni.
Background: Tuberculosis is a major global health problem and still considered as a social disease in India reflecting the standards of living in a community. It possesses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to practicing surgeon in resource limited contries. The aim of the present study was to study different surgical management of Intestinal tuberculosis. Methods: 100 cases of intestinal tuberculosis were studied over a period of three years in the department of General Surgery at Katihar Medical College with emphasis on surgical management of these cases. Results: 64% of the cases were in the age group of 21-40 years. The sex incidence revealed a female to male ratio of 1.17:1 showing a female preponderance. Low haemoglobin value and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate with lymphocytosis were present in majority of the cases. Radiological finding in plain X ray abdomen was of definite diagnostic aid in cases of intestinal obstruction and perforation. On laparotomy, diagnosis was supported by presence of tubercles, macroscopic caseation, enlarged and calcified lymph glands, bands, adhesion and strictures. The commonest site involved was small bowel followed by the ileocaecal region. The commonest type of lesion was stricture, which mostly involved the small bowel followed by hyperplastic lesions which were more common in caecum and ascending colon. Acute complications of the disease were perforation and obstruction, which forced the patients to undergo emergency surgical treatment. Wound infection (30%) was the most common complication. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary approach with high index of suspicion for the disease is required in these cases. Mostly a disease of low socio - economic people, health education and awareness among people is the need as this disease is very prevalent in this region.
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Endoscopic early detection of premalignant changes in stomach with mucosal biopsy in patients with symptomatology of acid peptic disease
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Ajay A. Gujar, Geeta A. Gujar.
Background: Stomach cancer is the second-most common cancer among men and third-most among females in Asia and worldwide. The symptoms and sign of the stomach cancer are often reported late when the disease is already in advanced stages and 5-year survival is less than 30% in developed countries and around 20% in developing countries. Early detection of cancer stomach is still remains challenge to the gastroenterologist. Methods: This study was done to detect early premalignant changes by upper GI scopy and histopathological examinations of mucosal biopsies in patients with symptoms of acid peptic disease not responding to any type of medications. 200 patients above 20 years of age with acid peptic disease symptoms selected for upper GI scopy and histopathology with follow up from 6 months to two years to detect whether premalignant lesion changes to malignancy. Results: Different types of inflammatory lesions of gastric mucosa detected endoscopically and on histopathology in our study. In 7 patients premalignant changes were detected and 7 patients already had gross malignancies in stomach. Out of the total number of biopsies included in the study, we observed lesions of atrophic type in 4 antral biopsies (2.25%) and 3 biopsies of the gastric body (1.69%). All were grade 1 as per Sydney classification. Conclusions: Upper endoscopy with histopathology has excellent output to detect early premalignant changes in stomach mucosa, though it is long way to continue this study to correlate both.
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Prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in rural area of Amravati District of Maharashtra, India
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Vinod R. Wasnik, Ajay K. Jawarkar.
Background: Hypertension is responsible for 57% of stroke deaths and 24% of coronary heart disease deaths in India. Cardiovascular disease will be the largest cause of death and disability in India by 2020. Hypertension is emerging as a major health problem. The prevalence of hypertension has increased in rural people. The objectives were to find the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in rural area of Amravati District and to study association between various factors and hypertension in a rural area. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out in rural community. 792 study subjects aged 10 years and above were selected using systematic random sampling. A structured pretested schedule was used to collect data regarding demographic characteristics and blood pressure pattern. Mean, Standard Deviation, Chi- square test and ANOVA were used to analyze data. Results: The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was found to be 55.8% and 13.4% respectively. The mean systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure patterns were found to be higher with the increase in age. Older age and increased body mass index were significantly higher among hypertensive compared to normotensive. Factors like tobacco use and alcohol were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusions: The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was found to be high in rural Amravati.
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Study of the pathogenesis of ulcer of lower extremity under various conditions
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Gajjam Shrinivas A., Wagh Amol.
Background: As lower extremities are exposed to injury and having a circulation strained by upright posture of human being should be the site of ulcer. This has reason for researchers and surgeon who have been concerned with the reasons for their common occurrence and difficulty in their cure. Researcher interested to study the pathogenesis of ulcer of lower extremity under various conditions. Methods: In the present study, 70 patients of lower extremity ulcer with various types were admitted in surgical wards of Mallareddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad. The cases were examined in detail and investigated thoroughly. In clinically doubtful cases, the diagnosis was made only after histopathological examination. Results: Most common type of ulcer was found in the present was Venous 13 (18.57%) cases, contributed by male (12) and female (1) followed by Traumatic 12 (17.14%) and Diabetic 11 (15.74%). Most of cases belong to the age group 41-60 years (47.14) and male (28 cases). High saphenous vein ligation with sripping of veins (23.07%) and conservative (23.07%) treatment were common surgical procedures used for the treatment of venous ulcer. Conclusions: In the present, venous ulcers are the most common of all leg ulcers with high morbidity. The surgical procedures are directed at prevention of venous reflux at various levels.
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A comparative study of static pulmonary function tests in Indian pregnant and non-pregnant women
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Ameet Fadia, Manish Dhadse.
Background: Pregnancy represents one of the best examples of selective adaptation in terms of respiratory physiology. Objective of the study is to evaluate the changes in static pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in third trimesters of pregnancy (study group) and compare with non-pregnant women (control group). Methods: 65 subjects (study group 35 subjects and control group 30 subjects) from a tertiary care hospital of Mumbai were included in the study. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) was done by computerized spirometry. Results: Statistical analysis was carried out and paired t-test was applied. Significant increase in mean inspiratory capacity and significant decrease in mean expiratory reserve volume were observed in the third trimester of normal pregnant women as compared to normal non-pregnant women. Conclusions: The present study highlights observation that there is no respiratory impairment due to pregnancy, as adaptive changes in respiratory system compensate for the altered structure and function of the maternal body and very well suffice for the increased needs of pregnancy.
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Study of correlation of gestational age estimation by new ballard score with inter mammary distance in new born
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Anshuman Srivastava, Utkarsh Sharma.
Background: It is important to recognise preterm babies as they have a different set of problems than term babies. Methods: Study was done over a period of 2 years.254 new-borns ranging in gestational age from 27 to 42 weeks were studied in MYH Hospital, Indore. Results: Intermammary distance and gestational age showed a positive correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0.9. SGA and AGA babies had correlation coefficient of 0.95 and 0.89 respectively. Conclusions: Intermammary distance of 69.60mm can be used to differentiate preterm and term babies. This simple measurement can be easily used by peripheral health workers at remote places to differentiate between term and preterm babies.
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Role of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of perianal fistulas
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Nilesh H. Chaudhari, Ameya D. Sinkar, Samparna Swoyam.
Background: Perianal fistula is a common disorder that often recurs because of infection that was missed at surgery. Preoperative MR imaging can help to prevent recurrence. The purpose of the study was, in this article we study the various types of perianal fistulas with MR imaging and study the usefulness of MR imaging in delineating the primary tract and complications of perianal fistula. Methods: We studied MRI images of 35 patients with different types of perianal fistulas. MR imaging were performed on 1.5-T magnet MR system (Siemens magneto Essenza). Imaging was performed with multiplanar T1-weighted, T2-weighted and PDFS sequences. Results: Total 35 patients were studied, out of which 18 (51%) patients showed grade 1 (simple linear intersphincteric fistula), 5 (14%) showed grade 2 (intersphinc¬teric with abscess or secondary tract), 6 (21%) showed grade 3 (transsphincteric), 5 showed grade 5 (14%) (transsphincteric with abscess or secondary tract in ischiorectal or ischioanal fossa) and none (0%)showed grade 5 (supralevator and translevator). Conclusions: MR imaging provides precise location of the fistulous track, and its relationship to pelvic floor and the sphincter complex and helps in the identifi¬cation of secondary tracks and abscesses.
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Evaluation of the efficacy of tamsulosin with or without deflazacort for stone clearance after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for upper ureteral and renal calculi
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Rajeev T. P., Nitin Gupta, Somour J. Baruah, Sasanka K. Barua.
Background: Medical expulsive therapy in the form of alpha blockers, corticosteroids, calcium channel blockers is being used with success for medical treatment of lower ureteric calculus. Adjunctive use of these therapeutic agents in post extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy period is also being tried.With this background, we evaluated the efficacy of tamsulosin with or without deflazacort for various outcome factors after ESWL of upper ureteral and renal calculi. Methods: A Prospecive study during period from February 2014 to April 2015 including a total of 90 patients with solitary upper ureteral or renal calculus who underwent ESWL was conducted. Patients were divided into three groups. Group A(30 patients) were given standard therapy (analgesics and antibiotics for 5 days), Group B (30 patients) were given standard plus tamsulosin (0.4 mg once daily) for 4 weeks and Group C (30 patients) were given standard therapy plus tamsulosin (0.4 mg once daily) and deflazacort (6 mg twice daily) for 4 weeks . Patients were evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks post ESWL with X ray KUB and USG. Results: At the end of 4 weeks, 10, 17, and 26 patients in group A, B and C respectively cleared their stones. Out of these 2, 6 and 19 patients in group A, B and C respectively cleared their stones in first 2 weeks. Clearance in group C was significantly higher as compared to group A and B. Conclusions: Addition of alpha-blocker tamsulosin along with deflazacort post ESWL for renal and upper ureteric calculi increases the stone expulsion rate and reduces the expulsion duration as shown by highly statistically significant results in group C.
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Antimicrobial sensitivity pattern among clinical isolates of Escherichia coli in tertiary care centre of Northern India
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Ranjana Malhotra, Rama Sikka, Uma Chaudhary.
Background: Rampant rise in resistance to various antimicrobials among clinical isolates of Escherichia coli is an issue of serious concern, especially in developing countries. It not only causes failure in treatment but also pose a health burden over the society at large. Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar as per Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute recommendations over 100 isolates of E. coli. Isolate resistant to at least three classes of antimicrobial agents was considered as multidrug resistant. Isolate resistant to the three classes of antimicrobials along with carbapenem was considered extensively drug resistant. Results: On performing the antimicrobial sensitivity pattern it was observed that E. coli isolates were maximally sensitive to ertapenem (56%), followed by imipenem (44%), meropenem (41%), piperacillin-tazobactam (23%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (21%), aztreonam (18%) among β-lactams group of antibiotics. 41% E. coli isolates were multidrug resistant and 11% were extensively drug resistant isolates. Conclusions: Stringent measures should be undertaken to curb the spread of antibiotic resistance. Policies should be framed and implemented to stop over the counter sale of antibiotics.
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Juvenile cemento-ossifying fibroma: a case report using modified Gallego’s staining
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Tamgadge Avinash, Tamgadge Sandhya, Venkateshwar Gokul, Tiwari Neha, Dhauskar Snehal.
Juvenile cemento- ossifying fibroma is a rare benign but locally aggressive tumour with high recurrent potentials. The present study reports a case of juvenile aggressive ossifying fibroma involving the maxilla of a 6year old boy reported with a chief complaint of painless swelling over right side of the cheek since six months without any significant etiological factor. Modified gallegos staining had been used to differentiate hard tissue deposits in the lesional tissues which have not been implicated so far in any fibroosseous lesions which makes this report unique.
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Comparison of brake reaction time in younger and older drivers
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
J. Ashok, V. Suganthi, I. Vijayalakshmi.
Background: Reaction time (RT) is the time taken for an individual to respond to a stimulus. Brake reaction time is the time taken for the driver to visualize an object and to press the brake pedal. BRT should be assessed in drivers for analysing their speed of mental processing and physical response. Objective of the study is to assess the BRT in male drivers and compare BRT between younger and older drivers. Methods: Male drivers between age groups of 18-65 years were included. Study is conducted in a stationary car. An in-house built; vehicle braking reaction timer is fixed to the electric circuit of the braking system in the car. The device is connected with laptop. The subject is instructed to press the brake pedal when the light changed. Results: The correlation between BRT and age was found to be negative in less than 55 years age group, the R value is found to be -0.094. Above the age group of 55 years there was a positive correlation, the R value was found to be +0.458. Conclusions: The decrease in BRT in
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A rare case of lutembacher syndrome in a young female: a case report from a rural population of Western Uttar Pradesh, India
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Priyesh Kant, Prem Shanker Singh, Khwaja Saifullah Zafar, Himanshu Sharma.
Lutembacher syndrome is a rare entity presenting with a combination of congenital atrial septal defect with acquired mitral stenosis. Lutembacher syndrome is reported to be more prevalent in developing countries where the incidence of rheumatic fever is high. We also came across with a young female with the similar clinical presentation in our hospital situated in a rural area in Western Uttar Pradesh, India. Keeping in mind its rare occurrence, we are presenting an overview of this syndrome including its various aspects and the problems faced by the patients in rural scenario.
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Organophosphorus agent induced delayed neuropathy: a case report
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Harshit Acharya, Arjun Kelaiya, Vinukumar Singel, Ronak Kapadia.
A 40-year old male, was presented with complaint of difficulty in walking with inability to flex foot and toes in bilateral feet (foot drop), which was acute at the onset and gradually progressive since the past 7 days. The patients wife and their 2 children had similar complaint with the same period of onset. At home, his family used cottonseed oil as cooking oil with wheat grain mixed with castor oil. On neurological examination, he was found to have lower motor neuron weakness with spasticity. After ruling out other common causes of polyneuropathy and lower motor weakness; due to high suspicion of poisoning by food adulterant, RBC acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and plasma cholinesterase (BuChE) were tested at National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), which came low and confirmed diagnosis of Organophosphorus (OP) poisoning. Nerve conduction study was done; which showed decreased amplitude of conduction in bilateral peroneal and right tibial nerve along with decreased mean nerve conduction velocity of bilateral median nerve. Thus patient was diagnosed with organophosphorus agent induced delayed axonal type of polyneuropathy and physiotherapy was started as treatment. OP compounds are a diverse group of chemicals which are principally used as insecticides in agriculture. Following organophosphate poisoning (OPP), 3 well-defined neurological syndromes are recognised: cholinergic crisis, intermediate syndrome and delayed polyneuropathy. Some organophosphates, particularly triorthocresyl phosphate (TOCP) and tricresyl phosphate (TCP), produce delayed neuropathy. On ingestion, they do not produce significant cholinergic crisis, but 7 to 20 days later it leads to a pure motor axonal neuropathy with wrist and foot drop. The mechanism may involve inhibition of neuropathy target esterase (NTE), which is found in the brain, peripheral nerves, and lymphocytes. This form of toxicity has been seen occasionally in small epidemics in India due to adulteration of cooking oil with TOCP.
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Neurocysticercosis: clinical presentations, serology and radiological findings: experience in a teaching institution
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Balvinder S. Arora, Kamakshi Dhamija.
Background: The objective of the study was to study the clinical presentations, serological evidence and radiological findings in cases of neurocysticercosis in a teaching institution with attached tertiary care hospital settings. Methods: A total of 60 paediatric age group patients were enrolled in the study and their clinical presentations, serological profile and radiological findings were recorded. Study data was evaluated in a retrospective analysis of the descriptive hospital based observational study conducted at Safdarjang hospital (SJ) hospital, New Delhi. Results: Generalised seizures were the most predominant clinical presentation in 28/60 cases (47%). Majority of the patients had single lesions in parietal lobe in CT head. 90% of the patients showed perilesional oedema on CT scan. Differences in IgG positivity rate in the various age groups were not significant either for serum or CSF - the p values were 0.67 & 0.052 respectively. Seropositivity was also not significantly associated with presence of active NCC lesions on CT (p= 0.254). In further analysis, diet was not found to have any significant influence on either seropositivity (p value=0.673) or on the pattern of presentation on CT (p=0.260). NBM-It is disappointing to know that only 20% urban 45%rural is aware of 8 hours NBM before surgery. Conclusions: Observations suggest there is variability in the clinical, serological and radiological presentation of neurocysticercosis when compared with standard criteria.
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Pattern of congenital malformations in newborn: a hospital-based study
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Swapnil R. Jain, Jayashree D. Naik, Babasaheb R. Dhakne, Priya M. Prabhu, Sandesh V. Kamble, Madhuri P. Mathurkar.
Background: Data on congenital malformations from developing countries like India are very few. However, it is important to have comprehensive and reliable data on the description and frequency of congenital malformations to allow surveillance and the implementation of appropriate public health strategies for prevention and management. In this study, we describe the pattern of congenital malformations seen in newborns delivered in tertiary care hospital of western Maharashtra. The objective was to study various newborn characteristics and to determine the frequency and pattern of congenital malformations at birth. Cross-sectional study conducted in Govt Medical College and Hospital Miraj, a tertiary care hospital in district of Maharashtra from June 2014 to November 2014 targeting all newborns delivered in hospital during study period. Methods: Data was collected by administering a semi structured questionnaire and a devised newborn screening clinical examination protocol. Results: Out of all 892 newborns (live births and still births), 24(2.69%) were having congenital malformations at birth and out of that, malformations involving circulatory system was highest i.e. 29.6% compared to other system. Conclusions: As compared to other studies circulatory disorders appear to be more common and by improvement in antenatal, postnatal diagnosis, early referral to tertiary hospital and early intervention most of these newborns can be saved.
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Anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid: with osteoclast like giant cells: an extremely unusual finding in fine needle aspiration cytology
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Mourouguessine Vimal, Tukkaram Chitra.
Anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid is a very rare malignant entity with aggressive behaviour. The FNAC finding of Osteoclast like giant cell in this malignancy is a very rare event with only hand full of cases are reported in the literature. This case report highlights the significance of cytological diagnosis of Anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid with Osteoclast like giant cell in a 70 year old man using simple FNAC technique and its role in determining the treatment plan.
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Acute abdomen secondary to dependent rectus sheath hematoma: a case report
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Juan José Granados-Romero, Carlos Aarón Méndez-Celis, Ericka Hazzel Contreras-Flores, Jesús Carlos Ceballos-Villalva, Aranza Guadalupe Estrada-Mata, Luis Eugenio Graniel-Palafox, José Javier Romo-García, Mariana Espejel- Deloiza, Germán Eduardo Mendoza-Barrera, Alan Isaac Valderrama-Treviño.
The rectus sheath hematoma as a rare clinical entity and self-limited, resulting from the accumulation of blood within the sheath of the rectus abdominis, secondary to breakage the epigastric artery higher or lower, or direct damage by fiber tear of rectus abdominis muscle. Female patient, 37 years old, enters the service of emergencies by refer abdominal pain of sudden onset, diffuse, with 5 hours of evolution with irradiation to lumbar region ipsilateral. In the CT scan in single stage and with IV contrast, it was reported an asymmetry in the thickness of the muscles of the anterior wall at the expense of a lesion of occupying space dependent anterior rectus muscle, as diagnostic impression is concluded a intramuscular injury dependent of the right anterior abdominal straight; likely bruising of the sheath of the straight abdominal by what is being decided its income to operating room to perform surgical drainage and epigastric vessel ligation. for the general doctor, specialist and it is important to take into account the pathology, symptoms, diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for a hematoma dependent of the rectus abdominis muscle, due to the high percentage of error diagnosis in patients who are admitted to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain, because you can Confused with other abdominal pathologies, which shows the importance of an appropriate differential diagnosis, and treatment prescribed, which optimize and reduce unnecessary intervention as well as morbidity and mortality of this disease.
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Adult bronchiolitis obliterans in eosinophilic enteritis: a rare association
2016-02-01T06-03-16Z
Source: International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Jayaprakash Subramani, Mariappan Murugan.
We hereby present this rare disease in adult with eosinophilic enteritis. This case is reported since there are no published reports of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) associated with eosinophilic enteritis. A 70yrs. old lady presented with sudden onset of dyspnea which was initially treated as pneumonia with anti-bacterial agents with poor result. She was provisionally diagnosed as small air way disease (Bronchiolitis obliterans) based on imaging and treated with parenteral steroids with empirical anti-bacterial agents. Infective workup was negative. Lung biopsy showed features of bronchiolitis obliterans. She showed partial response to high dose steroid therapy with relapse of severe dyspnea within short period. She was treated successfully with parenteral cyclophosphamide. Bronchiolitis obliterans is a rare cause for acute respiratory failure among adults in India. It manifests as pneumonia-like illness which is poorly responsive to broad spectrum antibiotics. Lung biopsy is usually required to confirm this non-infectious condition. Majority of patients respond to high dose steroid therapy. On rare occasion, steroid resistant cases require cyclophosphamide or cyclosporin therapy. Bronchiolitis obliterans should be considered as a possibility in acute or sub-acute unresolved pneumonia like illness especially in the absence of infective aetiology. Empirical therapy with steroids/ cyclophosphamide should be tried in cases with fatal respiratory failure. Bronchiolitis obliterans associated with eosinophilic enteritis is a novel thing, even though management of BO does not differ in this setting.
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Emulsification-Induced Homohelicity in Racemic Helical Polymer for Preparing Optically Active Helical Polymer Nanoparticles
Optically active nano- and microparticles have constituted a significant category of advanced functional materials. However, constructing optically active particles derived from synthetic helical polymers still remains as a big challenge. In the present study, it is attempted to induce a racemic helical polymer (containing right- and left-handed helices in equal amount) to prefer one predominant helicity in aqueous media by using emulsifier in the presence of chiral additive (emulsification process). Excitingly, the emulsification process promotes the racemic helical polymer to unify the helicity and directly provides optically active nanoparticles constructed by chirally helical polymer. A possible mechanism is proposed to explain the emulsification-induced homohelicity effect. The present study establishes a novel strategy for preparing chirally helical polymer-derived optically active nanoparticles based on racemic helical polymers.
Emulsification-induced homohelicity strategy is established for the first time for preparing optically active helical polymer nanoparticles by starting from racemic helical polymers. Compared with chiral induction in solution process, this strategy is more advantageous by directly constructing optically active polymer particles. Based on the versatile strategy, more novel chiral polymer materials can be expected.
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Hydrogel with Aligned and Tunable Pore Via “Hot Ice” Template Applies as Bioscaffold
An aligned hydrogel with tunable macropore size via hot ice template is described, which exhibits a high porosity, large pore size, easily modified surface, high survival rate as well as a linear arrangement of NIH3T3 cells.
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Journal of Genetics and Genomics in Transition
Publication date: 20 January 2016
Source:Journal of Genetics and Genomics, Volume 43, Issue 1
Author(s): Yongbiao Xue
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BI-RADS Density Classification From Areometric and Volumetric Automatic Breast Density Measurements
Publication date: Available online 1 February 2016
Source:Academic Radiology
Author(s): Bjørn Helge Østerås, Anne Catrine T. Martinsen, Siri Helene B. Brandal, Khalida Nasreen Chaudhry, Ellen Eben, Unni Haakenaasen, Ragnhild Sørum Falk, Per Skaane
Rationale and ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to classify breast density using areometric and volumetric automatic measurements to best match Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) density scores, and determine which technique best agrees with BI-RADS. Second, this study aimed to provide a set of threshold values for areometric and volumetric density to estimate BI-RADS categories.Materials and MethodsWe randomly selected 537 full-field digital mammography examinations from a population-based screening program. Five radiologists assessed breast density using BI-RADS with all views available. A commercial program calculated areometric and volumetric breast density automatically. We compared automatically calculated density to all BI-RADS density thresholds using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and used Youden's index to estimate thresholds in automatic densities, with matching sensitivity and specificity. The 95% confidence intervals were estimated by bootstrapping.ResultsAreometric density correlated well with volumetric density (r2 = 0.76, excluding outliers, n = 2). For the BI-RADS threshold between II and III, areometric and volumetric assessment showed about equal area under the curve (0.94 vs. 0.93). For the threshold between I and II, areometric assessment was better than volumetric assessment (0.91 vs. 0.86). For the threshold between III and IV, volumetric assessment was better than areometric assessment (0.97 vs. 0.92).ConclusionsVolumetric assessment is equal to or better than areometric assessment for the most clinically relevant thresholds (ie, between scattered fibroglandular and heterogeneously dense, and between heterogeneously dense and extremely dense breasts). Thresholds found in this study can be applied in daily practice to automatic measurements of density to estimate BI-RADS classification.
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The E. coli Acetylome: Form and Function
Castaño-Cerezo et al. (2014) conducted a proteomic evaluation of the Escherichia coli acetylome under four different growth conditions.1 As a post-translational modification (PTM), acetylation of lysine residues contributes to regulation of cellular activity with activation or inactivation of key proteins such as enzymes and other signaling molecules. By modifying nutrition and growth conditions in vitro, the Read the rest of this article
The post The E. coli Acetylome: Form and Function appeared first on Accelerating Science.
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Efficacy and Safety of Novel Agent-Based Therapies for Multiple Myeloma: A Meta-Analysis
This study aimed at comparing bortezomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) for safety and efficacy using meta-analysis. This meta-analysis identified 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 6742 patients. These RCTs were separated according to the different agent-based regimens and to autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). Complete response (CR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AE) were combined. The total weighted risk ratio (RR) of CR was 3.29 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.22–4.88] () for the novel agent-based regimens. These novel agent-based regimens showed greater benefit in terms of PFS of all subgroups irrespective of whether the patient received ASCT or not. The hazard ratio (HR) for PFS was 0.64 [95% CI: 0.60–0.69] (). Improvements of OS could be found only in the bortezomib- and thalidomide-based regimens without ASCT. The pooled HRs were 0.74 [95% CI: 0.65–0.86] () and 0.80 [95% CI: 0.70–0.90] (), respectively. Several AEs were shown more frequently in the novel agent-based regimens compared with controls such as hematologic events (neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia), gastrointestinal infection, peripheral neuropathy, thrombosis, and embolism events. In conclusion, in spite of the AEs, novel agent-based regimens are safe and effective for the treatment of MM.
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Higher Fitness Linked to Reduced Risk of Death after First Heart Attack
Researchers at Johns Hopkins and the Henry Ford Health System report evidence that higher levels of physical fitness may not only reduce risk of heart attacks and death from all causes, but also possibly improve the chances of survival after a first attack.
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7-(Benzofuran-2-yl)-7-deazadeoxyguanosine as a fluorescence turn-ON probe for single-strand DNA binding protein
DOI: 10.1039/C5CC09700B, Communication
7-(Benzofuran-2-yl)-7-deazadeoxyguanosine (BFdG) was synthesized and incorporated into an oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN). The single-stranded ODN containing BFdG shows 91-fold fluorescence enhancement upon binding of single-strand DNA binding protein.
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A Novel Copper-Rich Open-Framework Chalcogenide Constructed from Octahedral Cu4Se6 and Icosahedral Cu8Se13 Nanocluster
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC00183A, Communication
We demonstrated a unique copper-rich open-framework chalcogenide constructed from icosahedral Cu8Se13 and octahedral Cu4Se6 nanocluster connected each other through SnSe3(Se2) bridging unit. The specific copper-rich composition gives rise to a...
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Comparison of Histopathological Effects of Thymoquinone and Local Nasal Corticosteroids in Allergic Rhinitis in a Rabbit Model
ORL 2016;78:55-60
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