Development of an interactive computer graphics system with application to data fitting

The work reported in this thesis is organized into two parts. Part I presents a review study of the existing graphics facilities in terms of hardware and software (Chapter 2), interactive input techniques (Chapter 3) and the organization of graphics output processes and application data structures (Chapter 4). Finally, in Part I, a full account is presented concerning the development and implementation of the basic graphics software package LIGHT. Part II contains a detailed discussion of the implementation of several application programs which employ the basic graphics software developed in Part I. The applications cover the following problem areas: (1) Interpolatory Data Fitting (IDF); (2) Interactive Contour Tracing (ICT); (3) Triangular Mesh Generation (TMG). Finally, full program listings of the basic software and the application modules are given in the Appendices accompanying this thesis

Immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of curcumin

Turmeric is a widely used spice derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Having been used as a dietary spice, it has drawn scientists’ attention to the possible medicinal benefits of its active compounds called curcuminoids which consist of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcmin. Considering wide range of pharmacological properties that curcumin offers, numerous studies have investigated its potency as a therapeutic agent in various diseases such as autoimmune, cardiovascular, neoplastic, pulmonary, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. With regard to its wide array of health benefits and published data on the underlying mechanisms of its action, a complex interaction between three main events including inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunity, seems to contribute to different therapeutic roles of this compound. Hence, this review discusses the current knowledge on the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory roles of curcumin with the hope of recruiting curcumin as a therapeutic agent in future therapeutic regimen in order to enhance the efficacy of the treatment, as well as decreasing the adverse effects of synthetic chemical drugs

Assessing decision of inpatient or outpatient care in community acquired pneumonia: APT care study

Objective: To estimate the proportion of community-acquired pneumonia patients with disagreement between Confusion, Uraemia, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, age \u3e 65 years recommendation and physician\\\\u27s decision to hospitalise or not.Methods: This cross-sectional nation-wide, non-interventional, cross-sectional study was carried out across 10 cities of Pakistan from December 2011 to May 2012, and recruited consenting adult patients with confirmatory diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia on chest X-ray. Confusion, Uraemia, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, age \u3e 65 years recommendation for each patient was determined at the time of analysis. This recommendation was compared with treatment decision made by the physician. Disagreement was considered when the physician\\\\u27s decision did not match with the recommendation. SPSS 18 was used for data analysis.Results: Of the 352 patients, 201(57.10%) were males. The overall mean age was 50.67±18.45 years. In 140(39.77%) patients there was disagreement between Confusion, Uraemia, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, age \u3e 65 years recommendation and physician\\\\u27s decision regarding hospitalisation or outpatient care. Of the 352 cases 132(37.50%) were hospitalised despite the recommendation of outpatient treatment.Conclusion: In almost four out of every 10 patients there was disagreement between Confusion, Uraemia, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, age \u3e 65 years recommendation and the physician\\\\u27s decision regarding hospitalisation of community-acquired pneumonia patients

A novel framework for Low Impact Development (LID) planning and runoff control in urban watersheds

publishedVersio

Multidimensional Systolic Arrays of LMS AlgorithmAdaptive (FIR) Digital Filters

A multidimensional systolic arrays realization of LMS algorithm by a method of mapping regular algorithm onto processor array, are designed. They are based on appropriately selected 1-D systolic array filter that depends on the inner product sum systolic implementation. Various arrays may be derived that exhibit a regular arrangement of the cells (processors) and local interconnection pattern, which are important for VLSI implementation. It reduces latency time and increases the throughput rate in comparison to classical 1-D systolic arrays. The 3-D multilayered array consists of 2-D layers, which are connected with each other only by edges. Such arrays for LMS-based adaptive (FIR) filter may be opposed the fundamental requirements of fast convergence rate in most adaptive filter applications

Serum Procalcitonin and Lactoferrin in Detection of Acute Appendicitis; a Diagnostic Accuracy Study

Introduction: Finding an accurate diagnostic test can reduce the rate of unnecessary abdominal surgery in cases of suspected acute appendicitis (AA). This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum lactoferrin (LF) and procalcitonin (PCT) in detection of patients with acute appendicitis.Methods: In this diagnostic accuracy study, screening performance characteristics of PCT and LF were calculated in patients suspected with acute appendicitis and healthy volunteers as control group.Results: 131 cases participated (61 as case and 70 as control). The mean serum level of LF (0.9±0.14 vs 0.2±0.13 µg/ml; p 0.0001) and PCT (0.15±0.21 vs 0.11±0.02 ng/dl; p = 0.02) were significantly higher in patients suspected with AA. The AUC of PCT and LF were 0.46 (95% CI: 0.31-0.61) and 0.61 (95%CI: 0.47 - 0.76), respectively. At a 0.90 µg/ml cut-off value, LF had 77% (95 % CI: 63 - 91) sensitivity and 43% (95 % CI: 31 - 55) specificity. Also, at a 0.11 ng/dl cut-off value, PCT had 41% (95 % CI: 26 - 56) sensitivity and 69% (95 % CI: 53 - 85) specificity.Conclusion: Based on the main finding of present study, the overall accuracy of serum PCT and LF in detection of patients with acute appendicitis are in poor to failed range and it seems that they could not be considered as good screening tools for this purpose

Estimation of the burden of high-volume disease among metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients presenting to urologists in Pakistan

Introduction:There is a scarcity of data in Pakistan, describing the extent of metastases in men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC).We aimed first to determine the proportion of high-volume/extensive disease among metastatic HSPC patients, presenting to urologists. Secondly, to evaluate the profile of these patients and theiradherence to the treatment plan. Materials and Methods:This prospective observational study recruited consenting men with metastatic HSPC between October 2016 and September 2018. The high-volume disease was defined by the presence of visceral metastases or four or more bone lesions with at least one beyond the vertebral bodies and pelvis. Adherence to the treatment plan was observed during a period of three and six months. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of categorical and continuous variables. Results:The study included 100 patients fromfive cities inPakistan. Their mean and standard deviation (SD) of age was 69.2 ± 9.9 years. Performance status 2 was reported in 45% (n=45/100) patients, and Gleason score 8-10 in 69% (n=69/100). High-volume disease was prevalent in 68% (n=68/100) of patients, with bone metastases positive in 91% (n=91/100). Visceral metastases were identified in 26% (n=26/100) of patients with 10% reported in the lungs. At three and six months, physicians reported that 90% (n=85/94) and 91% (n=81/89) of patients adhered to the planned treatment, with hormonal manipulation in 86% (n=81/94) and 88% (n=78/89) respectively. Conclusion:Our first nationwide study in Pakistan demonstrated a high metastatic burden among HSPC patients presenting to a urologist. A multidisciplinary team approach, with the early involvement of oncologists, is imperative for the most appropriate management. Keywords: Prostatic Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Metastasis, Urologists, Pakistan

Effects of Major Ingredients in Cattle Milk on Enzyme Kinetics of Recombinant β-galactosidase (BGalP) Expressed in Pichia pastoris

Background and objective: β-galactosidase enzymes hydrolyze lactose into glucose and galactose for production of lactose free dairy products. However, different ions and fat content in milk may act as the inhibitor or activator for β-galactosidase enzymes. A cold-active β-galactosidase enzyme (BGalP), originally from Planococcus sp. L4, was previously expressed in Pichia pastoris to perform lactose hydrolysis in the refrigerated milk. In this study, the effects of milks major ingredients were evaluated on the enzymatic kinetics to confirm its capacity for hydrolyzing milk lactose.Material and methods: The activity was determined in different concentrations of NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2 as well as in the milk with low, medium or high-fat content. In these experiments ortho-Nitrophenyl β-galactoside was used as the substrate. Additionally, glucose was measured as the product after incubation of milk with BGalP enzyme for 24 h at room temperature.Results and conclusion: This study demonstrated that ions and fat content did not adversely affect the enzyme activity in the concentration corresponding to the milk contents. Ca (27.5-32.5 mM), Cl (25.3-30.9 mM), Na (15.2-39.1 mM) and Mg (3.75-5.83 mM) had no inhibitory effects, but KCl decreased the enzyme activity. Since Cl existed in MgCl2, and CaCl2 exerted no inhibitory effects, it can be concluded that inhibitory effects of KCl resulted from potassium rather than chloride. The results indicate that BGalP enzyme was not inhibited by milks major ingredients and has the potential to be used for the production of lactose-free dairy products.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Estimation of the burden of high-volume disease among metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients presenting to urologists in Pakistan

Introduction:There is a scarcity of data in Pakistan, describing the extent of metastases in men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC).We aimed first to determine the proportion of high-volume/extensive disease among metastatic HSPC patients, presenting to urologists. Secondly, to evaluate the profile of these patients and theiradherence to the treatment plan. Materials and Methods:This prospective observational study recruited consenting men with metastatic HSPC between October 2016 and September 2018. The high-volume disease was defined by the presence of visceral metastases or four or more bone lesions with at least one beyond the vertebral bodies and pelvis. Adherence to the treatment plan was observed during a period of three and six months. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of categorical and continuous variables. Results:The study included 100 patients fromfive cities inPakistan. Their mean and standard deviation (SD) of age was 69.2 ± 9.9 years. Performance status 2 was reported in 45% (n=45/100) patients, and Gleason score 8-10 in 69% (n=69/100). High-volume disease was prevalent in 68% (n=68/100) of patients, with bone metastases positive in 91% (n=91/100). Visceral metastases were identified in 26% (n=26/100) of patients with 10% reported in the lungs. At three and six months, physicians reported that 90% (n=85/94) and 91% (n=81/89) of patients adhered to the planned treatment, with hormonal manipulation in 86% (n=81/94) and 88% (n=78/89) respectively. Conclusion:Our first nationwide study in Pakistan demonstrated a high metastatic burden among HSPC patients presenting to a urologist. A multidisciplinary team approach, with the early involvement of oncologists, is imperative for the most appropriate management. Keywords: Prostatic Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Metastasis, Urologists, Pakistan