Intramedullary cavernoma with extralesional haemorrhage

Intramedullary cavernomas are rare lesions constituting 5 to 12% of all intramedullary tumours. They are more recognized after introduction of magnetic resonance imaging and detection rates have improved by advance techniques. They may be solitary or multiple or may have associated cranial lesions. They may present with gradual neurological decline or with acute loss of spinal function. In addition neurological deficit depends on the location of the lesion within the spinal cord. We are reporting the case of a 45 year old male who presented with neck pain and progressive right arm weakness with numbness. MRI cervical spine with contrast showed intramedullary lesion with peripheral T2 hypointense rim and extralesional haemorrhage consistent with cavernoma. Patient underwent successful surgery and his symptoms markedly improved with mild residual grip weakness in right hand

An Interference-Managed Hybrid Clustering Algorithm to Improve System Throughput

In the current smart era of 5G, cellular devices and mobile data have increased exponentially. The conventional network deployment and protocols do not fulfill the ever-increasing demand for mobile data traffic. Therefore, ultra-dense networks have widely been suggested in the recent literature. However, deploying an ultra-dense network (UDN) under macro cells leads to severe interference management challenges. Although various centralized and distributed clustering methods have been used in most research work, the issue of increased interference persists. This paper proposes a joint small cell power control algorithm (SPC) and interference-managed hybrid clustering (IMHC) scheme, to resolve the issue of co-tier and cross-tier interference in the small cell base station cluster tiers. The small cell base stations (SBSs) are categorized based on their respective transmitting power, as high-power SBSs (HSBSs) and low-power SBSs (LSBSs). The simulation results show that by implementing the IMHC algorithm for SBSs in a three-tier heterogeneous network, the system throughput is improved with reduced interference

Impact of Amplitude Response on the Capacity of an Intelligent-Reflecting-Surface-Enabled Narrowband SISO System

Future wireless networks are characterized as having a combination of various technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, combined communication, sensing and others. In this context, intelligent reflecting surfaces have been identified as a powerful candidate for 6G enabling technologies. In this paper, we present the performance analysis of an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS)-assisted narrowband single-input single-output (SISO) system. We evaluate the capacity and received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a SISO wireless system by considering the effect of amplitude response of the channel and changes in transmit SNR. The simulation results show that the capacity of the system can be significantly improved in the presence of passive, as well as active, reflecting elements even when the strength of the direct link between the transmitter and receiver is very low. Similarly, transmit SNR has a significant impact on the overall performance improvement of the system

Clustering Approaches for Efficient Radio Resource Management in Heterogeneous Networks

5G telecommunication industry promises to manage and accomplish the massive data traffic and growing network requirement complexities in heterogeneous networks (HetNets). HetNets are K-tier networks and are expected to be seamlessly connected networks with robust services for users anywhere at any time. In near future, the significance of 5G/B5G cellular networks; in both indoor and outdoor environments will be greater than before and it would add up to an exhaustive level. However, as a result of the increased density of networks, a rise in interference within these ultra-dense networks (UDN) will have an alarming impact on throughput, interference and latency.  To ensure high throughput with reduced interference in UDNs a clustered architecture is required. A HetNet with clustered approach enables the network to mitigate interference effectively and achieve efficient radio resource management (RRM). In this paper, we analyzed different clustering classifications and existing clustering techniques that are used for proficient radio resource management. The centralized clustering techniques and decentralized clustering techniques are analyzed and as a result, it is assumed that improved performance can be achieved by emphasizing on hybrid clustering approaches. In addition to this, performed a thoughtful review of existing hybrid clustering techniques to achieve improved throughput and mitigate interference in dense heterogeneous networks.  Our analysis shows that improved radio resource management and increased throughput in HetNets is achieved by applying hybrid clustering techniques with reduced inter and intra tier interference.

Assessing the effect of dietary calcium intake and 25 OHD status on bone turnover in women in Pakistan

Summary: Bone health assessed in three towns of Karachi, Pakistan in females showed poor calcium intake, vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and high bone turnover. Correlates of high bone turnover included females residing in Saddar Town, underweight females less than 30 years of age from low socio-economic status, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Aims: To assess bone health and association of dietary calcium and 25 hydroxy vitamin D with bone turnover in the community-dwelling females of Karachi. Methods: Bone health was assessed in three randomly selected towns of Karachi, Pakistan. One premenopausal female fulfilling the inclusion criteria from each household was included in the study. Dietary calcium was assessed through a food frequency questionnaire and biochemical markers including calcium, phosphates, albumin, magnesium, creatinine, and SGPT, intact parathyroid hormone, 25 hydroxy vitamin D, and N-telopeptide of type I collagen were measured to assess the bone health. Results: Three hundred and five females were included from three towns. Overall, 90.5% of females had vitamin D deficiency with 42.6 and 23.3% having secondary hyperparathyroidism and high bone turn over respectively. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and high bone turnover was significantly different among towns. Mean vitamin D levels were significantly low and iPTH levels significantly high in females with high bone turnover. Calcium intake was not significantly different among females with normal, high, and low bone turnover. Correlates ofhigh bone turnover included females residing in Saddar Town, underweight females less than 30 years of age belonging to low socio-economic status, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Conclusion: Compromised bone health is seen in community-dwelling females of Karachi. There is a need to perform large-scale community-based studies in all age groups to understand the interplay of markers in our population to understand the impact of these variables translating into the risk of osteoporosis

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlates: results of a community-based study conducted in Karachi, Pakistan

UNLABELLED: Of the 305 premenopausal females in a cross-sectional study in randomly selected communities of Karachi, Pakistan, 90.1 % showed to be vitamin D deficient. Age, town of residence, and housing structure were significant predictors of vitamin D levels. Measures to address D deficiency and its associated long latency effects are urgently needed.AIMS: This study aims to find out the prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency in community-dwelling premenopausal females in Karachi.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected communities downtown (Saddar) and suburbs (Gulshan and Malir Town) in Karachi, Pakistan. Information related to sociodemographics (age, education, employment, and household income), housing structure, sunlight exposure, and skin pigmentation as well as dietary intake (using a food frequency questionnaire) was collected. Serum vitamins D(3) levels were also measured. Mean and SD was computed for continuous variables and frequency and proportions were computed for categorical variables. Data were further analyzed by Chi-square test and ANOVA. Multiple linear regression analysis was done to find out determinants of vitamin D (VD) levels.Results: Total of 305 premenopausal females were recruited. Mean age, BMI, and waist circumference of the study participants was 31.97±8 years, 25.06±5.6 kg/m(2), and 88.42±13.3 cm, respectively. Majority of the females were vitamin D deficient (91.50 %) with mean vitamin D levels of 21.77±21.66 nm/L. Mean vitamin D levels were significantly different among females residing in downtown and suburbs. High frequency of vitamin D deficiency was observed in females dwelling in downtown (Saddar). According to the results of multiple linear regression analysis, determinants of VD levels were age, town of residence, and housing structure.CONCLUSION: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is seen in females in the community of Karachi, Pakistan. Age, town of residence, and housing structure were the significant predictors of vitamin D levels. Measures to combat the issue of D deficiency and its associated long latency effects are urgently needed

Awareness of H1N1 influenza among Pakistani pharmacy students

Aim — This study was aimed to investigate knowledge and attitudes of H1N1 influenza among pharmacy students. Material and Methods — A cross-sectional study was carried out among undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore from February-May 2018. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate knowledge and attitudes of H1N1 influenza. All data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Results — The median age of study participants (N=420) was 20 years, with majority of females (72.4%), undergraduate students (96.7%) belonging to middle economic class (89.8%). The median knowledge score was 18, with 38.1% having poor, 55.7% moderate and 6.2% excellent knowledge score (score 26 years of age had better knowledge scores than 21-25 years (p=0.015) and ≤20 years (p=0.005) age categories. Gender had no significant influence on the knowledge as well as attitude score. Futhermore, postgraduate students had signifcanlty better knowledge scores, not attitude, than undergraduates (p=0.002). Conclusions — Our findings highlight the need to equip pharmacy students with comprehensive knowledge of H1N1 influenza so that in future they can help increase the public awareness at community pharmacies, hospitals or the communities they reside

STUDY OF DRUGS PRESCRIBED AND ADVERSE DRUG REACTION IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME AND MENSTRUAL DISORDERS IN GYNAECOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT INTEGRAL INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES & RESEARCH, LUCKNOW, INDIA

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and menstrual disorders are prevalent gynecological conditions affecting a significant number of women worldwide. The management of these conditions often involves the prescription of various drugs to alleviate symptoms and improve overall reproductive health. However, the use of medications in these conditions is not without risks, as adverse drug reactions (ADRs) may occur, posing potential challenges to patient safety and treatment outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the drugs prescribed and document adverse drug reactions associated with PCOS and menstrual disorders in the Gynecology Department at IIMS&R Integral University, Lucknow, India. The study adopted a prospective observational design, analyzing medical records of female patients diagnosed with PCOS and menstrual disorders who sought care at the Gynecology Department. Data on prescribed drugs, dosage, duration of treatment, and patient demographics was extracted from electronic health records. Adverse drug reactions were identified through systematic review of patients\' medical records, specifically focusing on any reported symptoms, complications, or changes in treatment regimens due to drug-related issues. All identified ADRs were assessed for severity, causality, and preventability following standard pharmacovigilance guidelines. The findings of this study have the potential to improve patient safety, enhance the quality of care, and contribute to evidence-based practices in the management of PCOS and menstrual disorders. Moreover, it can serve as a foundation for future research endeavors aimed at exploring alternative treatment strategies or novel therapeutics for these gynecological conditions