Effect of hyperthermia on prognosis after acute ischemic stroke

<p><b>Background and Purpose:</b> Experimental studies have shown that hyperthermia is a determinant of poor outcome after ischemic stroke. Clinical studies evaluating the effect of temperature on poststroke outcome have, however, been limited by small sample sizes. We sought to evaluate the effect of temperature and timing of hyperthermia on outcome after ischemic stroke.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Data of 5305 patients in acute stroke trials from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA) data set were analyzed. Data for temperatures at baseline, eighth, 24th, 48th, and 72nd hours, and seventh day were assessed in relation to outcome (poor versus good) based on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. Hyperthermia was defined as temperature >37.2°C and poor outcome as 90-day modified Rankin Scale >2. Hazard ratios with 95% CIs were reported for hyperthermia in relation to the outcome. Logistic regression models, in relation to hyperthermia, were fitted for a set of preselected covariates at different time points to identify predictors/determinants of hyperthermia.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The average age of patients was 68.0±11.9 years, 2380 (44.9%) were females, and 42.3% (2233) received thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. After adjustment, hyperthermia was a statistically significant predictor of poor outcome. The hazard ratios (95% CI) for poor outcome in relation to hyperthermia at different time points were: baseline 1.2 (1.0 to 1.4), eighth hour 1.7 (1.2 to 2.2), 24th hour 1.5 (1.2 to 1.9), 48th hour 2.0 (1.5 to 2.6), 72nd hour 2.2 (1.7 to 2.9), and seventh day 2.7 (2.0 to 3.8). Gender, stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >16), white blood cell count, and antibiotic use were significantly associated with hyperthermia (P≤0.01).</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Hyperthermia, in acute ischemic stroke, is associated with a poor clinical outcome. The later the hyperthermia occurs within the first week, the worse the prognosis. Severity of stroke and inflammation are important determinants of hyperthermia after ischemic stroke. In patients with acute ischemic stroke, aggressive measures to prevent and treat hyperthermia could improve the clinical outcomes.</p&gt

Secure Key Distribution Using Quantum Cryptography

Cryptography plays a vital role in Internet based applications. Present cryptographic systems on classical computers are providing sufficient security by utilizing symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic technologies but the advent invention of quantum computer makes the present asymmetric cryptographic systems vulnerable. The Quantum theory, which makes present cryptographic systems vulnerable, provides an alternative approach for secure key distribution. This paper depicts various issue related to conventional as well as quantum cryptography and secure key distribution using quantum cryptography

Understanding the psychology of tutor: a research study

AbstractThe study was entitled as “A Study to analyze the Role of Tutor in Distance Education at M.A Education Level.” It involved both positive and negative aspects of the role of tutor in distance education. Main objectives of the study were; (i) To identify the responsibilities of tutor in distance education. (ii) To explore the role of tutor in distance education. (iii) To recommend some suggestion to improve the role of tutor. This study completed by the following procedure of survey method. All the students and tutors of AIOU at M.A Education level were considered total population of the study. The students and tutors of district Bahawalpur were selected as sample. Two questionnaires were developed one for students and second for tutors. The data was analyzed on the biases of frequencies, mean and simulative percentage. On the basis of the analysis of data some findings, conclusions and recommendations were made for the tutors and students of distance education. Following were some of the main recommendations of the study (i) Tutor may guide the students for preparing assignments (ii) Tutor should provide the study schedule before time (iii) A.V aids facilities may be provided at study centers

Evaluation of wheat by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

In this study 15 wheat varieties namely Nacozari-76, Ouqab, Tatar-96, Bakhtawar-92, Yecura-70, Raj, Bakkar, Sulilman-96, Pirsabak-05, Maria, Khyber-87, Fakhr-e-Sarhad, Pirsabak-04, Inqulab-91 and Rawal-87 were evaluated for analysis of variability in seed storage proteins by using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Electrophorogram for each variety were scored and presence or absence of each band noted and was entered in a binary data matrix. Based on the data of SDS-PAGE gels cluster analysis was performed to check the variations among varieties. The overall result shows low degree of heterogeneity however different varieties reveal differential protein banding pattern. It is concluded that SDS-PAGE analysis of wheat endosperm protein is useful for evaluation of genetic variability and cultivars identification that help in wheat breeding program

Digitizing radiology films using flat-bed scanner and produce a multimedia digital teaching file in musculoskeletal radiology

Digital images have been long established in radiology department. Despite this, most radiology teaching films has been film-based. The drawback of this conventional system is that it consumed space, only one user can use at any one time and expensive. Analogue radiology films were digitized using flatbed scanner with transparency adaptor and digital camera. Digital-based teaching files using personal computer (PC) should be encouraged as this will reduce space for storing, can be distributed without much cost, inexpensive, many users can use at the same time and others can use even though at different place using the internet. The teaching file was prepared using HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML) as this can be used using any web browser. It is now available in University Sains Malaysia, Kelantan Campus Branch (USMKCK) intranet

Self-Medicated Broad Spectrum Antibiotics in Rural Communities in Kano-Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abuse of antibiotics through self-treatment is of public health concern, especially in rural communities of low income countries. This study evaluates the prevalence of self-medication with five broad spectrum antibiotics (ampiclox, amoxillin, co-trimoxazole, metronidazole and tetracycline) commonly used to treat infections among non-health workers living in rural communities in Kano, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of 300 randomly selected adult villagers was conducted with self-administered questionnaire. The prevalence of self-medication with at least one of the antibiotics was 70.3%. The most self-medicated antibiotic is ampiclox followed by tetracycline, amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole and metronidazole. Over 50% of the respondents purchased substandard antibiotics, which cost between $0.1-0.5 per dose from illegal drugs sellers in their communities. While only 29 respondents ever completed the dosage of the self-medicated antibiotics, about 22% took the antibiotics for 2 days and 41% took only 1 dose. A total of 154 (51.3%) self-used tetracycline and metronidazole for treating diarrhea, while 30.6% and 62% used ampiclox and amoxicillin to treat undiagnosed urinary tract infections and typhoid fever respectively. Only 33% have used antibiotics previously prescribed by health care workers, but the majority used them as a result of family and friends’ recommendations. Surprisingly, only 19 out of 300 believed that self-medication is a problem, but the majority (168) has contrary believe and 35 have no idea. Self-medication with five commonly used broad spectrum antibiotics is very high in rural communities and will require the development of a viable antibiotic stewardship programs to arrest the situation

The Effects of Area Contraction on Shock Wave Strength and Peak Pressure in Shock Tube

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the effects of area contraction on shock wave strength and peak pressure in a shock tube. The shock tube is an important component of the short duration, high speed fluid flow test facility, available at the Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Malaysia. The area contraction was facilitated by positioning a bush adjacent to the primary diaphragm section, which separates the driver and driven sections. Experimental measurements were performed with and without the presence of the bush, at various diaphragm pressure ratios, which is the ratio of air pressure between the driver (high pressure) and driven (low pressure) sections. The instantaneous static pressure variations were measured at two locations close to the driven tube end wall, using high sensitivity pressure sensors, which allow the shock wave strength, shock wave speed and peak pressure to be analysed. The results reveal that the area contraction significantly reduces the shock wave strength, shock wave speed and peak pressure. At a diaphragm pressure ratio of 10, the shock wave strength decreases by 18%, the peak pressure decreases by 30% and the shock wave speed decreases by 8%

Characterization of wheat varieties by seed storageprotein electrophoresis

Wheat grains of thirteen varieties were collected from different ecological regions of Pakistan. The variability of seed storage-proteins was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Electrophorogram for each variety were scored and Jaccard‘s similarity index (JSI) was calculated. Genetic diversity of wheat was evaluated by constructing the dendrogram for high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) gluten subunit bands. It is concludedthat seed storage protein profiles could be useful markers in the studies of genetic diversity and classification of adapted cultivars, thereby improving the efficiency of wheat breeding programs in cultivar development especially in a developing country like Pakistan

Band gap engineering for improved photocatalytic performance of CuS/TiO2 composites under solar light irradiation

ABSTRACT. Nanoparticles of CuS, TiO2 and CuS/TiO2 composites were prepared by template free hydrothermal method. Prepared nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to confirm the formation of nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was applied to investigate the morphology and particle size of the nanoparticles which were measured in the range of 30–40 nm. Photocatalytic performance of CuS, TiO2 and Cus/TiO2 were measured by degradation of methyl orange (MO) under solar light irradiation. Coupling of n-type TiO2 (3.2 eV) with p-type CuS (1.9 eV) showed efficient degradation of the contaminants under the solar light irradiation. Photocatalytic performance of CuS/TiO2 composite improves 1.4 times than CuS for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under solar light irradiation.               KEY WORDS: CuS/TiO2 composites, Photocatalytic performance, Hydrothermal growth, Solar light, Irradiation Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2019, 33(3), 561-571.        DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i3.1