Periodic Noise Removal in Strain and Natural Images Using 2-D Fast Fourier Transform

This paper presents a 2-D FFT removal algorithm for reducing the periodic noise in natural and strain images. For the periodic pattern of the artifacts, we apply the 2-D FFT on the strain and natural images to extract and remove the peaks which are corresponding to periodic noise in the frequency domain. Further the mean filter applied to get more effective results. The performance of the proposed method is tested on both natural and strain images. The results of proposed method is compared with the mean filter based periodic noise removal and found that the proposed method significantly improved for the noise removal

Curvelet Denoising with Improved Thresholds for Application on Ultrasound Images

In medical image processing, image denoising has become a very essential exercise all through the diagnose. Negotiation between the preservation of useful diagnostic information and noise suppression must be treasured in medical images. In case of ultrasonic images a special type of acoustic noise, technically known as speckle noise, is the major factor of image quality degradation. Many denoising techniques have been proposed for effective suppression of speckle noise. Removing noise from the original image or signal is still a challenging problem for researchers. In this paper, a Curvelet transform based denoising with improved thresholds is proposed for ultrasound images

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase 1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age  6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score  652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N = 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in Asia and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

Menstrual Patterns Among School Going Adolescent Girls in Chandigarh and Rural Areas Of Himachal Pradesh, North India

Background: Menstrual disorders are common among adolescent girls and they are lacking scientific knowledge regarding menstrua- tion and puberty making them more vulnerable. This study was con- ducted to determine patterns of menstrual cycles among young girls and menstrual problems. Material and Methods: Cross–sectional survey was conducted among adolescent school going girls in four schools: two in Chandi- garh and two in Himachal Pradesh (Districts Mandi and Hamirpur) selected by stratified multi-stage random sampling design.. Only those respondents whose parents gave consent and they were also willing to take part in the study were included. Information was col- lected on socio-demographic characteristics and menstruation related information. Results: About 80% girls who attained menarche had prior informa- tion regarding menstruation and among them 45(51.1%) reported mother as main source of information.. There were 77(69.3%) girls having problems/ complaints related with menstruation. Excessive flow during menstruation was reported by 17(15.3%) girls. There were 22 (19.8%) girls having reportedly irregular periods. Only 19(24.7%) girls reporting menstrual problems approached some- where for problems related with menstruation. Conclusions: Present study concludes that menstrual problems are highly prevalent among girls in the studied population  and  they have lot of misconceptions regarding menstruation

A community-based study on awareness of cancer and anticipated barriers in seeking help

Introduction: Cancer is a leading public health problem worldwide. Contributing factors include lack of awareness regarding cancer and improper help seeking behavior. Objective: To assess the awareness regarding early warning signs of cancer, its risk factors and anticipated barriers in seeking help. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 470 study participants. Trained workers administered a standardized tool to respondents after obtaining their informed consent. Epi Info software for windows version 7.2 was used for the analysis. Results: Overall, merely 7.7% (36/470) of the study respondents were aware of all the nine warning signs of cancer. The most commonly known early warning sign of cancer was “unexplained swelling” (58.3%). Further, although majority knew that cigarette smoking is a risk factor for cancer (90.4%), very few were aware about the role of inadequate physical activity (9.3%) and diet devoid of adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables (11.9%). There were few anticipated barriers in seeking help such as embarrassment (13.2%) and difficult to interact with a doctor (7.9%). Conclusion: There was inadequate awareness about cancer but a favorable help-seeking behavior. It is, therefore, recommended that health-care professionals should scale up efforts for disseminating information regarding cancer among the people

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its predictors among tuberculosis patients currently on treatment

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes are the world's leading public health issues. They are the cause of morbidity, mortality, and pose a burden on the healthcare system. Aims and Objectives: The aim and objective of this study were to study the prevalence of diabetes and its predictors among TB patients currently on treatment. The secondary objective was to examine the self-reported blood glucose monitoring and antidiabetic drug adherence practice among diabetic TB patients. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was undertaken on 275 TB cases enrolled from selected designated microscopy centers. Self-reported information on diabetes, tobacco usage, and family history of TB was collected by trained investigators. In addition, for diabetic tubercular patients, the study investigators inquired about the type of treatment taken (allopathic/traditional), frequency of getting blood sugar tested, and daily drug adherence. For comparison between the “diabetes TB comorbidity” and “TB only group,” Chi-square test of significance was used, and odds ratios were reported. Data were analyzed using Epi Info software (CDC Atlanta). Results: The prevalence of diabetes among TB patients was found to be 13.1% (known diabetics –9.1% and new diabetics –4.0%). There were 25.5% of current/former smokers (70/275) and 13.1% of current/former smokeless tobacco users (36/275). In logistic regression analysis, age 50 years and above emerged as a significant predictor for diabetes TB comorbidity (adjusted odds ratio = 9.8 [4.3–22.3]). Conclusion: Diabetes is prevalent comorbidity in TB patients. Age more than 50 years significantly increases the odds of this twin morbidity

MENSTRUAL PATTERNS AMONG SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN CHANDIGARH AND RURAL AREAS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, NORTH INDIA

ABSTRACT Background: Menstrual disorders are common among adolescent girls and they are lacking scientific knowledge regarding menstruation and puberty making them more vulnerable. This study was conducted to determine patterns of menstrual cycles among young girls and menstrual problems

Epidemiological survey to identify depressive symptoms in school-going rural adolescents of Chandigarh, India

Background: The prevalence of mental health problems in the adolescent population is higher than in the general population. Aims and Objectives: To assess the mental health and to identify depressive symptoms in the adolescent population in the schools in northern India and to study the association of sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables with depressive symptoms and screening instrument scores. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 350 adolescents studying in the 5th standard to 12th standard in two schools in village Palsora, Chandigarh, India. The socioeconomic status was assessed using Modified Kuppuswamy Classification. Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMQ) was used to measure mental health and screen for depressive symptoms among rural adolescents. Sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables, mental health, and depressive symptoms among adolescents were evaluated. The participants were interviewed by trained mental health professionals. Results: 62% of the study participants had a high SMQ score on the assessment instrument which measured depressive feelings felt in the last 2 weeks. Female adolescents had significantly higher SMQ scores than male adolescents. The younger adolescents in the age group 10–14 years and overcrowding in the family were associated with significantly high SMQ scores. Conclusions: The survey concluded that there was a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents studying in rural schools in northern India. 62% of the study participants had a high SMQ score and were at risk for depression and predicted future depression in adolescents. The female and younger adolescents had significantly higher SMQ scores than male and older adolescents

Prevalence of tobacco use and associated factors among Injecting Drug Users and Men who have Sex with Men

Introduction: Tobacco use is a leading cause of ill-health, disability, and death worldwide. The current study aimed at estimating the prevalence of tobacco use and identify factors associated with it among injecting drug users (IDUs) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 IDUs and 100 MSM each, recruited with the help of outreach workers and peer educators of Nongovernment Organizations working for them. Tobacco usage behavior was assessed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Epi Info software for windows (CDC Atlanta) was used to calculate proportions and evaluate the association between tobacco use and independent variables. Results: The current tobacco use prevalence among IDUs was 91% (smokers 75%, smokeless tobacco users 45%). Similarly, the current tobacco use prevalence among MSM study participants was 48% (smokers 28%, smokeless tobacco users 32%). Around half of the current tobacco users had tried to quit tobacco in the past 12 months. Conclusions: There is a high proportion of tobacco use among both IDUs and MSM. It is therefore of utmost importance to strengthen tobacco cessation efforts in these groups