Second Backbend in the Mass A ~ 180 Region

Within the framework of selfconsistent cranked Hartree-Fock- Bogoliubov theory(one-dimensional) we predict second backbend in the yrast line of Os-182 at $I \approx 40$, which is even sharper than the first one observed experimentally at $I \approx 14$. Around such a high spin the structure becomes multi-quasiparticle type, but the main source of this strong discontinuity is a sudden large alignment of i_13/2 proton orbitals along the rotation axis followed soon by the alignment of j_15/2 neutron orbitals. This leads to drastic structural changes at such high spins. When experimentally confirmed, this will be observed for the first time in this mass region, and will be at the highest spin so far.Comment: 13 pages, 4 ps figure

Compared to What? Is BMI Associated with Histopathological Changes in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Specimens?

Background: Obesity is a risk for many different cancers. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is common, and benign or pre-malignant histopathology types are reported in the removed gastric specimens. We assessed whether higher BMI was associated with certain benign or pre-malignant histopathological changes. Method: Retrospective chart review of all primary LSG patients (N = 1555). Demographic, clinical, and LSG histopathology data were retrieved. BMI of patients with specific benign or pre-malignant conditions in their gastric specimens was compared with the BMI of the rest of the patients with abnormal histopathology specimens and also compared with the BMI of patients with normal control specimens. Results: Females comprised 70% of the patients. Mean BMI were 46.3 (females) and 48 (males). Normal LSG specimens comprised 52%. Most common abnormal histopathologies were chronic inactive gastritis (33%), chronic active gastritis (6.8%), follicular gastritis (2.7%), lymphoid aggregates (2.2%), intestinal metaplasia (1.4%) and GIST (0.7%). After controlling for confounders (age, gender, H. pylori, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension), no significant association was observed between the BMI of patients with specific benign or pre-malignant histopathology compared with the BMI of the rest of the patients with abnormal histopathologies and compared to the BMI of patients with normal histopathologies. Conclusion: When confounders were taken into account, there appeared no significant associations between the BMI of patients with specific benign or pre-malignant histopathology compared with the BMI of the rest of the patients with abnormal histopathologies and compared to the BMI of patients with normal histopathologies of their gastric specimens. There was a very weak correlation between BMI and other covariates. - 2019, The Author(s).Acknowledgements Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library. The authors wish to thank Dr. Prem Chandra for assistance with the statistical analysis and the Medical Research Center at HMC for their support for the current study.Scopu

A looking-out portal (LOP) approach to enhance qualitative aspects of bandwidth utilisation in academic networks

Campuses of educational institutions periodically need to increase network bandwidth to keep up with increased demand and this decision is based on the quantitative aspects of the network bandwidth utilisation. The qualitative utilisation of the bandwidth is seldom looked into. Improving the qualitative utilisation of the bandwidth may not even necessitate a network upgrade. Although blacklist-based access control techniques help to a certain degree, the findings of this research indicate otherwise. A multi-tier, whitelist-based, looking-out portal (LOP) approach is presented that promises to improve the qualitative utilisation of the network while positively impacting pertinent resource identification and location of sources on the internet. The authors draw on their years of experience serving as students and staff in various campuses of universities and colleges in various countries while making recommendations

Lorcaserin vs. Phentermine among non-surgical and surgical obese patients: Anthropometric, glycemic, lipid, safety and cost outcomes

Background To evaluate effectiveness, safety, and costs of Lorcaserin vs. phentermine among obese non–surgical and surgical patients (post bariatric surgery). Methods This retrospective study retrieved charts of all patients (January 2013–June 2016) who received Lorcaserin or phentermine for 3 months. The study assessed anthropometric, glycemic, and lipid changes, as well as side effects and cost of medications among overweight and obese non-surgical (n = 83) and surgical patients (n = 46). These two patient groups were compared using Chi-square (χ2) and unpaired‘t’ test for qualitative and quantitative variables respectively. Results At 3 months, among the non-surgical group, Phentermine patients had greater percentage of total weight loss (TWL%) (7.65 ± 8.26 vs. 2.99 ± 3.72%, P = 0.003), and greater BMI reduction (−3.16 ± 3.63 vs. −1.15 ± 1.53 kg/m2, P = 0.003) than Lorcaserin. Within the surgical group, Lorcaserin patients had significantly smaller TWL% (1.86 ± 5.06 vs. 7.62 ± 9.80%, P = 0.012), and smaller BMI reduction (−0.74 ± 1.80 vs. −3.06 ± 4.08 kg/m2, P = 0.012) than Phentermine. Lorcaserin exhibited significant total cholesterol and LDL improvements only among surgical patients with significant weight reduction (≥5% TW). Both medications were not associated with glycemic improvements among non-surgical and surgical groups. Phentermine had slightly more side effects but was less expensive. Conclusions Among both patient groups, phentermine was more effective in achieving weight loss. Lorcaserin showed dyslipidemia improvements only among surgical patients who achieved significant weight reduction. Anti-obesity medications as part of weight management programs can result in weight loss among non-surgical and surgical patients, or halt weight regain among surgical patients. This is the first study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of two anti-obesity medications (lorcaserin vs. phentermine) among two distinct obese patient groups, non-surgical and surgical patients

Rare presentation of primary varicella zoster as fatal fulminant hepatitis in adult on low-dose,short-term steroid: Case report

Background Varicella zoster virus presents clinically as primary (chickenpox) or secondary (herpes zoster) infection. Cutaneous and extracutaneous dissemination may occur, usually in immunocompromised patients. VZV hepatitis that progresses to fulminant hepatic failure is very rare and fatal. To the best of our knowledge, 9 cases have been reported to date, of which 7 were in immunocompromised adults, and only one patient was on short duration steroid therapy. Presentation of case We present a 26-year old man who was admitted initially with acute abdomen as query persistent biliary colic. Later, he showed clinical and laboratory findings of VZV hepatitis that progressed rapidly despite maximal medical ICU support and he expired on day 3 of admission. Conclusions Acute VZV infection may present as fulminant hepatitis. The presentation may initially be challenging for the diagnosis and should be considered if the patient has been in contact with a sick case. Low dose corticosteroid could carry a risk for fatal VZV fulminant hepatitis and should be used very cautiously especially with VZV patients’ contacts. Further causative relationships remain to be established.Scopu

Advances in the Radiological Evaluation of and Theranostics for Glioblastoma

Imaging is essential for evaluating patients with glioblastoma. Traditionally a multimodality undertaking, CT, including CT cerebral blood profusion, PET/CT with traditional fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), and MRI have been the mainstays for diagnosis and post-therapeutic assessment. However, recent advances in these modalities, in league with the emerging fields of radiomics and theranostics, may prove helpful in improving diagnostic accuracy and treating the disease

Giant parathyroid adenoma: A case report and review of the literature

Background: Giant parathyroid adenoma is a rare type of parathyroid adenoma defined as weighing > 3.5 g. They present as primary hyperparathyroidism but with more elevated laboratory findings and more severe clinical presentations due to the larger tissue mass. This is the first reported case of giant parathyroid adenoma from the Middle East. Case presentation: A 52-year-old Indian woman presented with a palpable right-sided neck mass and generalized fatigue. Investigations revealed hypercalcemia with elevated parathyroid hormone and an asymptomatic kidney stone. Ultrasound showed a complex nodule with solid and cystic components, and Sestamibi nuclear scan confirmed a giant parathyroid adenoma. Focused surgical neck exploration was done and a giant parathyroid adenoma weighing 7.7 gm was excised. Conclusions: Giant parathyroid adenoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism and usually presents symptomatically with high calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. Giant parathyroid adenoma is diagnosed by imaging and laboratory studies. Management is typically surgical, aiming at complete resection. Patients usually recover with no long-term complications or recurrence. - 2019 The Author(s).Scopu

A real-world exploration into clinical outcomes of direct oral anticoagulant therapy in people with chronic kidney disease: a large hospital-based study

Background There is limited evidence to support definite clinical outcomes of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy in chronic kidney disease (CKD). By identifying the important variables associated with clinical outcomes following DOAC administration in patients in different stages of CKD, this study aims to assess this evidence gap. Methods An anonymised dataset comprising 97,413 patients receiving DOAC therapy in a tertiary health setting was systematically extracted from the multidimensional electronic health records and prepared for analysis. Machine learning classifiers were applied to the prepared dataset to select the important features which informed covariate selection in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results For both CKD and non-CKD DOAC users, features such as length of stay, treatment days, and age were ranked highest for relevance to adverse outcomes like death and stroke. Patients with Stage 3a CKD had significantly higher odds of ischaemic stroke (OR 2.45, 95% Cl: 2.10–2.86; p = 0.001) and lower odds of all-cause mortality (OR 0.87, 95% Cl: 0.79–0.95; p = 0.001) on apixaban therapy. In patients with CKD (Stage 5) receiving apixaban, the odds of death were significantly lowered (OR 0.28, 95% Cl: 0.14–0.58; p = 0.001), while the effect on ischaemic stroke was insignificant. Conclusions A positive effect of DOAC therapy was observed in advanced CKD. Key factors influencing clinical outcomes following DOAC administration in patients in different stages of CKD were identified. These are crucial for designing more advanced studies to explore safer and more effective DOAC therapy for the population