Approximate MAP Decoding on Tail-Biting Trellises

We propose two approximate algorithms for MAP decoding on tail-biting trellises. The algorithms work on a subset of nodes of the tail-biting trellis, judiciously selected. We report the results of simulations on an AWGN channel using the approximate algorithms on tail-biting trellises for the $(24,12)$ Extended Golay Code and a rate 1/2 convolutional code with memory 6.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, ISIT 200

Study of fetal 2D echo in pregnant women with diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: Diagnosis of diabetes in pregnancy is an important public health issue. Present study was done to study incidence of abnormal foetal 2D echocardiography in women with diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus and to know their obstetric outcome.Methods: It is a prospective, observational study, which includes 80 patients. It was conducted at our tertiary care centre after the approval by ethics committee, and the results were analysed.Results: Out of 80 patients included, 77% women had GDM and rest 23% had DM. In this study, all patients had fetal 2D echocardiography done. 3 patients had report suggestive of congenital heart disease in the fetus. 1 of them was suggestive of TAPVC, 1 was suggestive of enlarged right atrium, 1 report was suggestive of VSD. Two of the abnormal fetal 2D echocardiography diagnosis of TAPVC and VSD was confirmed by neonatal 2D echo. One baby with Normal antenatal 2D echo had ASD on post-natal evaluation. The baby with antenataly enlarged right atrium had no cardiac anomaly on post-natal evaluation.Conclusions: Incidence of DM/GDM is increasing. As baby is likely to have congenital anomalies, out of which cardiac anomalies are most common, fetal echocardiography is a well-established, accurate, and safe method for diagnosing congenital heart disease. All the babies with abnormal fetal echocardiography need post-natal confirmation

Microbiological study of cervical flora in preterm labour

Background: Preterm labour occurs due to various causative factors. Genital infections contribute significantly to the preterm labour. Ours is a prospective, observational study looking at the cervical microbiota involved in the preterm labour. The cervical flora contributing to the occurrence of preterm labour was studied. The results were analyzed based on the microbiological study of cervical swabs. The primary objectives of this study were to determine the association of cervical microbiota of pregnant women with spontaneous preterm delivery. To characterize the effect of cervical microbiota on birth gestation. The secondary objective of this study was to analyse the role of cervical microbiota and its relationship between social and behavioural factors.Methods: It is a prospective, observational study, which includes 193 patients, studied over a period of one and a half year. It was conducted at our tertiary care centre after the approval by ethics committee, and the results were analysed. As this is a purely observational study, management decisions of treating obstetrician were not interfered with. No additional cost, intervention or injury was caused to the study subject.Results: In our study, cervical swab culture shows growth in 2.07% which is statistically insignificant. Though, it was found that preterm labour is more common with leucocytosis, i.e. WBC > 11000 cmm, which is found to be statistically significant (p value = 0.023).Conclusions: In our study, we found that there was no significant association of cervical flora with preterm labour, though we found an association with leucocytosis

Effect of acupuncture TENS versus conventional TENS on post cesarean section incision pain

Background: There is evidence regarding beneficial use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on post Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) incision pain. However, efficacy of different types of TENS following C section pain has not yet been explored adequately.Methods: 96 women who had recently undergone LSCS were included for the study. The subjects were in the age group of 20 to 40 years (25.84±3.96); having pain intensity 4 or more on Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). They were divided into three groups by random allocation method; namely Group A: Acupuncture (Low/Motor) TENS, Group B: Conventional (High/Sensory) TENS and Group C: Control group. Group A and B received specific type of TENS twice a day for 15 minutes. Control group C did not receive any TENS intervention. All subjects received standard post-operative medications and physiotherapy. Pain intensity was recorded on NPRS pre and post intervention.Results: Both Acupuncture TENS and Conventional TENS significantly decreased post-operative pain intensity as compared to control group (p value <0.0001).Conclusions: Both, acupuncture and conventional TENS are equally effective in reducing post LSCS incision pain at a strong and non-painful intensity

Deuterium NMR and rheology of microgel colloids at ambient and high pressure

Microgel colloids exhibit a polymer collapse transition resulting in a large reduction in colloid size at high temperatures or pressures. Our goal is to obtain a microscopic understanding of the internal structure and microscopic dynamics of microgels by examining the temperature and pressure dependence of the collapse transition. We have conducted a systematic study of how the nature of this collapse transition is affected by crosslink density (Cd). We used deuterium NMR (2H-NMR) to probe the microscopic dynamics of cross-linked poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (p-nipam) chains, in microgel colloids, as a function of temperature and pressure. Four differently crosslinked microgels colloids were synthesized with deuteron labels on the nipam backbone (d3- nipam). Corresponding macroscopic properties of unlabeled colloids having the same crosslink densities were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and rheology. Rheological characterization as a function of temperature (T) and particle concentration (c), and for 4 crosslink densities, showed that the microgel viscosity decreases as temperature is increased, and that in the high T/low c regime, there is a collapse of the viscosity as a function of T and c when plotted against volume fraction: this yields a measure of the water content in the particles as function of T. 2H-NMR spectra of the d3-nipam suspensions for all Cd indicated freely moving chains at low temperature and a nearly immobilized fraction above 35°C. This is consistent with DLS observations of a transition from swollen to collapsed colloids. 2H-NMR spectra for the dry powder indicated totally immobilized segments in the particle. Nipam segments in the collapse phase of the d3-nipam suspension were more mobile than those in the dry powder. This suggests significant amounts of water in the collapsed phase, a finding consistent with the rheology observations. For the highest two values of Cd, microgel spectra showed the presence of an immobilized fraction of segments even in the swollen phase. Variable pressure NMR (up to 90 MPa) showed a slight increase in transition temperature with pressure for all Cd values studied

Understanding the Effect of NKTR-255 on Circulating Lymphocyte Levels Post-Radiotherapy

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/sumexp23/1104/thumbnail.jp

Role of piracetam on cognitive function in epilepsy and with antiepileptics in rats

Background: To study extent of cognitive impairment by epilepsy & antiepileptic treatment and evaluate the role of piracetam on it.Methods: 48 animals were divided into 6 groups: I-Control, II- Topiramate, III-Topiramate+Piracetam, IV-Valproate, V-Valproate+Piracetam, VI-Piracetam. Baseline cognitive functions were measured using Cook’s pole climbing apparatus (CPCA) and Elevated plus maze (EPM). In CPCA, on completion of training, number of avoidances (NOA) out of 10 trials were noted while in EPM, transfer latency (TL) was measured. Kindling was induced by 30mg/kg Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), i.p. to all groups (except Group I) on alternate days till seizures developed. Groups were treated with respective drugs orally for 21 days and cognitive functions measured again.Results: Significant decrease in NOA & increase in TL was observed after PTZ kindling. Topiramate further significantly impaired NOA and TL whereas Valproate significantly reduced NOA in CPCA but increase in TL was not significant. Treatment with Piracetam significantly increased Topiramate, Valproate and PTZ kindling induced decrease in NOA as also significantly reduced Topiramate and PTZ kindling induced increase in TL.Conclusion: Seizures are associated with cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment caused by Sodium valproate differs from Topiramate. Piracetam, a known nootropic can be used in alleviating cognitive impairment associated with epilepsy & chronic antiepileptic therapy

Comparative study of serum lipid profile between prehypertensive and normotensive

Background: Prehypertensive subjects have greater risk of developing hypertension than the normotensive subjects. Studies have shown that lipid profile is altered in hypertensive patients as compare to normotensive subjects. But not much is documented about lipid profile in prehypertensives. So the present study is done to compare the serum lipid profile among prehypertensive and normotensives and to correlate the blood pressure and lipid profile in prehypertensives.Methods: 50 prehypertensive and 50 normotensive subjects were recruited from the general population. Blood pressures were recorded and serum lipid profiles were measured and compare using student t test. Correlation of serum lipid profile and blood pressure was done using person correlation.Results: The study results showed significant increased in total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and serum triglyceride level in prehypertensives compare to normotensives. While there is no significant change in HDL level in prehypertensive compare to normotensive. And there is also a significant correlation between blood pressure and lipid profile in prehypertensive subjects.Conclusion: Lipid profile is altered in prehypertensives compare to normotensives. That’s why timely diagnoses and life style modification is required in prehypertensives.