Fast Implementation of Transmit Beamforming for Colocated MIMO Radar

Multiple-input Multiple-output (MIMO) radars benefit from spatial and waveform diversities to improve the performance potential. Phased array radars transmit scaled versions of a single waveform thereby limiting the transmit degrees of freedom to one. However MIMO radars transmit diverse waveforms from different transmit array elements thereby increasing the degrees of freedom to form flexible transmit beampatterns. The transmit beampattern of a colocated MIMO radar depends on the zero-lag correlation matrix of different transmit waveforms. Many solutions have been developed for designing the signal correlation matrix to achieve a desired transmit beampattern based on optimization algorithms in the literature. In this paper, a fast algorithm for designing the correlation matrix of the transmit waveforms is developed that allows the next generation radars to form flexible beampatterns in real-time. An efficient method for sidelobe control with negligible increase in mainlobe width is also presented

Study of effectiveness, tolerability and safety of intravenous iron sucrose in iron deficiency anaemia in postnatal women

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of reversible anemia encountered during pregnancy and postpartum period. The present study was done with the objective to find out the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in the postpartum period.Methods: Fifty (50) postnatal patients both after vaginal and caesarean section with iron deficiency anaemia within the first 48 hours with haemoglobin percentage between 6 g/dl and 8g/dl were studied prospectively at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Madras Medical College, Chennai. The patients were given 100 mg of elemental iron diluted in 100 ml of 0.9% normal saline and infused over 15 minutes every alternate day (not more than 3 days in a week) until the required dosage is infused. The blood samples of all the patients were collected and analyzed for haemoglobin (g/dl), hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and compared before and after therapy.Results: The mean age group of the patients was 24.94 years. Majority of the patients were multipara (68%) and belongs to the class V socio economic status (84%). All the blood parameters were increased significantly (p=0.000) when compared from baseline values to end of the treatment. Mean raise in haemoglobin% after 30 days of treatment was 3.60. Average raise in the mean hematocrit was 8.73. The mean difference in the mean corpuscular volume, total iron binding capacity and the percent saturation was 129.77, 13.55, was 22.26 respectively.Conclusions: Our data confirm that the intravenous iron sucrose was very effective, well tolerated and safe than other forms of iron preparations for treating iron deficiency anaemia in postnatal women

Computed tomography scan findings in eclampsia: a prospective study

Background: Eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal death, with classical neurological symptoms that include headache, nausea, vomiting, cortical blindness, coma and convulsions. Computed tomography (CT) scan helps in diagnosing and management of eclampsia in pregnant women. The present study was done with the objective to analyse the findings of CT scan of brain in eclampsia, to identify the prevalence of neurovascular complications in these cases and to determine if these findings can be of value in determining the prognosis of this disorder.Methods: This was a prospective study done on 100 patients with eclampsia. All of the 100 patients were screened with CT scan brain at Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Egmore, Chennai during the period from August 2008 to August 2009. All the data were analyzed and compared between the groups of positive CT scan and negative CT scan observations.Results: Out of 100 patients, positive CT scan findings were noticed in 15 patients. Of them, 7 patients expired, and 8 patients survived after treatment. Of the expired patients (7), 5 of them expired due to brain haemorrhage, and 1 patient died with cerebral oedema and 1 with brain infarction. Cerebral odema (46%) was the most common positive CT finding.  Parietal region of brain was the most common (40%) affected area.Conclusions: CT scan of brain provides valuable information in determining the prognosis and the prevalence of neurovascular complications in Eclampsia

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis-diagnostic dilemma in an acute presentation-a case report

Diffuse peritoneal leiomyomatosis is a rare benign condition which has a multifactorial origin with genetic or hormonal component leading to metaplasia of peritoneal mesenchymal cells. Thus, a combination of radiology with clinical correlation is an ideal approach for diagnosis. Though benign, radiologically it could give a picture of malignancy. In our case, patient came with an acute presentation resembling torsion ovary which usually needs emergency detorsion. In this scenario, multiple radiology component directed the case towards malignancy while ultimately a history, clinical correlation and biopsy revealed its benign nature. Reviewing the reported cases of disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL) incidence has slightly increased in recent years and is more common in patients with a past history of unconfined laparoscopic myomectomy wherein spillage of the myoma content into the abdominal cavity can trigger DPL as these are hormone sensitive tissues. The indolent course of the disease usually suggests a borderline disease, but only histological and immunohistochemical studies can confirm DPL, showing smooth muscle cells without nuclear atypia, strongly expressing estrogen and progesterone receptors. Mainstay of treatment targets in curbing the hormone influence on DPL and surgical management

Chylous ascites following total laparoscopic hysterectomy done for benign pathology: a rare complication

Chylous ascites is an uncommon form of ascites, defined as the leakage of the lipid-rich lymph into the peritoneal cavity It is a common complication seen following surgeries done for gynecological malignancies. Chyle leak following benign surgery is an extremely rare entity. The presence of a milky appearing ascitic fluid with triglyceride content above 200 mg/dl is diagnostic of chylous ascites. High-protein and low-fat diet with MCT reduce the production and flow of chyle and seal the leak. We present a 53-year-old, para 2 living 2, lady with heavy menstrual bleeding and congestive dysmenorrhea for 3 years. She was diagnosed with AUB A and failed to respond to medical management. Her general physical examination was unremarkable and gynaecological examination revealed bulky uterus enlarged to 12 weeks’ gravid uterine size. She underwent TLH and BSO. On post-operative day 2, 280 ml milky white fluid was noted in the pelvic drain. Drain fluid triglyceride was noted to be 723 mg/dl. High protein and low fat diet with MCT was initiated. Over the following 3 days the drain output showed a gradual decline and on day 6 serous fluid was noted in the drain. She recovered well and was discharged on 8th post-operative day. Chylous ascites following hysterectomy has not been reported in literature. We report this case to emphasize the rarity of this complication following laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign pathology and the successful management by conservative measures

Noise reduction in ECG signals for bio-telemetry

In Biotelemetry, Biomedical signal such as ECG is extremely important in the diagnosis of patients in remote location and is recorded commonly with noise. Considered attention is required for analysis of ECG signal to find the patho-physiology and status of patient. In this paper, LMS and RLS algorithm are implemented on adaptive FIR filter for reducing power line interference (50Hz) and (AWGN) noise on ECG signals .The ECG signals are randomly chosen from MIT_BIH data base and de-noising using algorithms. The peaks and heart rate of the ECG signal are estimated. The measurements are taken in terms of Signal Power, Noise Power and   Mean Square Error

Caesarean scar pregnancy: diagnostic dilemma

Caesarean scar pregnancy is a rare but life-threatening type of ectopic pregnancy if not accurately diagnosed on time. With increasing caesarean section rates, caesarean scar pregnancy is bound to increase. In this report, we describe a case of a woman with pregnancy developed within previous caesarean scar (Type-I, cervico-isthmic type) and successfully treated with medical management. The diagnosis of pregnancy on caesarean scar is easily made by transvaginal ultrasound and color Doppler flux. Unfortunately in some cases, as well as in our case, the diagnosis was not simple. Infact, in our case twin gestation was the initial diagnosis, by serial Beta HCG values and transvaginal ultrasound by an expert sonologist the diagnosis was made. We were successful in treating this rare form of ectopic pregnancy without any maternal morbidity with medical management alone. We report this case to highlight the importance of knowing the ultrasound criteria to diagnose Caesarean scar pregnancy, so that catastrophies can be prevented

Clinical perspectives on placenta accreta spectrum: a case series

To describe the presentation and management of three cases of placenta accreta spectrum. Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), first described in 1937, refers to the pathological invasion of placental trophoblasts into the myometrium and beyond.  While a strong association exists between PAS and uterine scarring-often attributed to defective decidualization at the endometrium-myometrium interface-this does not fully explain all cases. Here we report three cases of placenta accreta spectrum disorders, two cases with placenta accreta and one with placenta percreta. Emergency LSCS was performed for two patients with placenta accreta and emergency laparotomy proceeded to subtotal hysterectomy was done for placenta percreta. These patients had a stormy post operative period and required multidisciplinary approach for management. In our study, all three cases experienced spontaneous bleeding far from term and required a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis and effective treatment.  With rise in Caesarean sections, placenta accreta spectrum disorders are not uncommon in today’s clinical practice. The treatment option should be individualised and hysterectomy is not the only definitive treatment.

Regulatory Challenges in Clinical Trials: Strategies to Overcome Commonly Observed Deficiencies

140-148Apart from the regular clinical trials, bioavailability/bioequivalence studies are conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of generic drugs, comparing it with a reference listed drug. Clinical trial data is mandatory for further approval of the drug, for it to enter the market. These investigations are strictly regulated by various global and national regulatory authorities. The global clinical trials market is expected to register a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of nearly 4.5% during the forecast period, 2018 to 2023. A major challenge for them to achieve the forecasted growth is meeting the increased level of compliance to the regulations. In recent times the research Organizations have been issued an increased number of warning letters with stringent procedures and even subsequent closure of the organizations. This case study conducted by the review of warning letters and other observations pointed out by two major global regulatory authorities, the FDA and EMA and the critical areas were identified. Recommendations were made for the major areas which were critical and repetitive. It was concluded that consistent methods are required to improve the quality of studies to effectively eliminate the challenges in mere future and contribute for the betterment of the drugs’ market