Digital simulation of a Costas loop demodulator in Gaussian noise and CW interference

A digital computer model of a Costas loop has been employed to study the effects of Gaussian noise and continuous-wave interference on the detection of biphase modulated signals. The dependence of bit-error probability, mean-square error between input and output, phase-error variance and threshold on signal-to-Gaussian-noise power ratio, interference-to-Gaussian-noise power ratio and frequency offset of the interference have been investigated and compared with previously obtained experimental results. The model has been verified for its accuracy in the case of no noise and when Gaussian noise is present at its input --Abstract, Page ii

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF STANDARDIZED CINNAMON BARK EXTRACT FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED WEIGHT LOSS AND ALOPECIA IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER: A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, AND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of IND02 (standardized Cinnamon bark extract) supplementation for the prevention of side effects of cancer chemotherapy in female patients with breast cancer. Methods: The study was conducted using double-blind, placebo-controlled design in 34 female breast cancer patients during the first 4 consecutive 21-day cycles of the standard chemotherapy regimen. The active treatment (IND02 capsules, 400 mg, one capsule, and thrice a day) or matching placebo was orally administrated in randomized (1:1 ratio) patients. The efficacy outcome measures were reduction in chemotherapy-induced weight loss, alopecia (hair fall), and other side effects. The safety outcome measures were hematology, ECG, vital signs, adverse event monitoring, and laboratory safety measurements. Results: The patients on the treatment with IND02 had shown significant protection from chemotherapy-induced severe weight loss (cachexia) and alopecia (reduced hair density and % hairs in the anagen phase, and increased % hairs in telogen phase) which was seen in the placebo group. IND02 treatment was found safe and well-tolerated during the study. Conclusion: Concomitant use of IND02 in breast cancer patients during breast cancer chemotherapy showed a clinical promise regarding efficacy and safety in preventing chemotherapy-induced weight loss and alopecia

Carbimazole-associated Pancreatitis: Report From Western India

Pancreatitis is a very rare complication of methimazole and carbimazole therapy. We describe a case of possible carbimazole-associated pancreatitis. A 41-year-old Asian man (with no comorbidities) reported to the hospital with atrial fibrillation and a fast ventricular rate. He was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism due to Graves disease. His rhythm was reverted with amiodarone, and carbimazole was initiated at 15 mg daily for the medical management of Graves disease. Fifteen days later, he presented with acute severe abdominal pain and vomiting with elevated serum amylase 387 U/L (reference range, 28-100 U/L) and lipase levels 206 U/L (reference range, 13-60 U/L). Magnetic resonance imaging showed a bulky pancreas with extensive extrapancreatic fat stranding suggestive of acute pancreatitis. Considering the possibility of carbimazole-related pancreatitis, the drug was withheld. He was managed conservatively, and his pancreatic enzymes normalized within 1 week. The observation suggests that the pancreatitis was a consequence of the therapy with carbimazole. Although it is a rare occurrence, patients taking carbimazole who report abdominal discomfort and vomiting should be evaluated for pancreatitis

TO STUDY THE QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS AND IMAGES OF HINGUL DURING THE SHODHAN PROCESS

Rasaacharya were well known about the toxic effect produce due to use of mineral in their impure form. For removing this toxic effect they mentioned various Shodhan (purification) processes in their books. Shodhan process plays a very significant role in purification of Rasa dravya like Hingul for internal administration. In this study Shodhan of Hingul by Kshalan process is performed which is mentioned in book of Rasatarangini. Because of the need of purification & standardization in Ayurveda we do ICP-AES for Elemental qualitative analysis and FEG-SEM for images.After doing ICP-AES test there are elements like Yttrium (Y), Zirconium (Zr), Vanadium (V), Ytterbium (Yb), in the sample of first Kshalan water, which were done after completion of seven Bhavana. These elements were not found in the sample of Raw Hingul and sample of after seven Bhavana of Hingul. After doing repeated Kshalan process these elements were not found in any sample except the first Kshalan water sample. In the water sample of first Kshalan, found 23 elements and after the seven Kshalan, and got only 16 elements. Hence the impurities may be removed after the Kshalan process.After doing a FEG-SEM test we found there are changes in the images and particle in each step of Shodhan process of different samples. Because of continuous Bhavana particle size were reduced

Delayed bowel perforation following suprapubic catheter insertion

BACKGROUND: Complications of suprapubic catheter insertion are rare but can be significant. We describe an unusual complication of a delayed bowel perforation following suprapubic catheter insertion. CASE PRESENTATION: A gentleman presented with features of peritonitis and feculent discharge along a suprapubic catheter two months after insertion of the catheter. CONCLUSION: Bowel perforation is the most feared complication of suprapubic catheter insertion especially in patients with lower abdominal scar. The risk may be reduced with the use of ultrasound scan guidance

The prevalence of headache may be related with the latitude: a possible role of Vitamin D insufficiency?

According to recent observations, there is worldwide vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) in various populations. A number of observations suggest a link between low serum levels of vitamin D and higher incidence of chronic pain. A few case reports have shown a beneficial effect of vitamin D therapy in patients with headache disorders. Serum vitamin D level shows a strong correlation with the latitude. Here, we review the literature to delineate a relation of prevalence rate of headaches with the latitude. We noted a significant relation between the prevalence of both tension-type headache and migraine with the latitude. There was a tendency for headache prevalence to increase with increasing latitude. The relation was more obvious for the lifetime prevalence for both migraine and tension-type headache. One year prevalence for migraine was also higher at higher latitude. There were limited studies on the seasonal variation of headache disorders. However, available data indicate increased frequency of headache attacks in autumn–winter and least attacks in summer. This profile of headache matches with the seasonal variations of serum vitamin D levels. The presence of vitamin D receptor, 1α-hydroxylase and vitamin D-binding protein in the hypothalamus further suggest a role of vitamin D deficiency in the generation of head pain

Ferric carboxymaltose in the management of anemia due to non-obstetric conditions in women: a sub-group analysis of a large multi-center real-world study/PROMISE from India

Background: Real-world data on the efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) for treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in Indian women is limited. Methods: This was a sub-group analysis of the real-world PROMISE study, which analyzed data of women who received FCM for the management of IDA due to non-obstetric causes. Hematological parameters were retrieved from the charts at baseline and at 4±1 week and analyzed for the whole sub-group and by the severity of anemia. Results: In 442 women with anemia, Hb and serum ferritin improved by 2.77 gm/dl and 62.07 µg/l, respectively (p<0.001 for both) at 4 weeks. There was a significant increase in red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (p<0.001 for all). In 192 subjects with severe anemia, there was a significant increase in Hb by 3.19 gm/dl, serum ferritin by 61.67 µg/l, RBC count, hematocrit, and MCV (p<0.001 for all); and MCH (p=0.002). In 226 subjects with moderate anemia, there was a significant increase in Hb by 2.41 gm/dl, serum ferritin by 62.75 µg/l, and MCV (p<0.001 for all); and MCH (p=0.003). No subject had mild anemia. No new safety signals or serious adverse events were reported. Physicians rated the efficacy and safety of FCM as very good to good in 94.1 and 94.2% of subjects, respectively. Conclusions: In Indian women, FCM effectively and safely corrects IDA due to non-obstetric causes, in a short span of 4 weeks.

The matrix protein Fibulin-3 promotes KISS1R induced triple negative breast cancer cell invasion

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality. In particular, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprise a heterogeneous group of basal-like tumors lacking estrogen receptor (ERa), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 (ErbB2). TNBC represents 15-20% of all breast cancers and occurs frequently in women under 50 years of age. Unfortunately, these patients lack targeted therapy, are typically high grade and metastatic at time of diagnosis. The mechanisms regulating metastasis remain poorly understood. We have previously shown that the kisspeptin receptor, KISS1R stimulates invasiveness of TNBC cells. In this report, we demonstrate that KISS1R signals via the secreted extracellular matrix protein, fibulin-3, to regulate TNBC invasion. We found that the fibulin-3 gene is amplified in TNBC primary tumors and that plasma fibulin-3 levels are elevated in TNBC patients compared to healthy subjects. In this study, we show that KISS1R activation increases fibulin-3 expression and secretion. We show that fibulin-3 regulates TNBC metastasis in a mouse experimental metastasis xenograft model and signals downstream of KISS1R to stimulate TNBC invasion, by activating matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and the MAPK pathway. These results identify fibulin-3 as a new downstream mediator of KISS1R signaling and as a potential biomarker for TNBC progression and metastasis, thus revealing KISS1R and fibulin-3 as novel drug targets in TNBC

SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF BUBBLE CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE IN NEONATES WITH RESPI-RATORY DISTRESS AND ITS FAILURE FACTORS

Background: Studies on Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (B-CPAP) as respiratory support for neonates are few. The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy and safety of B-CPAP in preterm and term neonates requiring respiratory support and to study its failure factors, so we can come out of it and utilize this non-invasive cost effective method widely and successfully. Methods: A prospective observational study was done on 51babies both term and preterm babies admitted in NICU of SMIMER Hospital, Surat, requiring respiratory support for mild to moderate respiratory distress. Support was given with short nasal prongs with under water seal Bubble C Pap. Surfactant was administered when indicated. Monitoring was done clinically, with pulse oximeter, radiologically and with blood gases. Result: The mean gestational age of the study population was 32-34 weeks and birth weight was 1.501 g. 53% of the population were Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) babies weighing less than 1500 g. C-PAP failure rate was higher in these babies. The most common disease for starting B-CPAP was RDS (80%) followed by pneumonia (17%), TTNB (0%) and MAS (2%). The commonest complications on B-CPAP were shock, apnea and nasal damage. Overall failure of BCPAP occurred in 21/51 cases or 40%. All babies who failed BCPAP were put on mechanical ventilation. Failures in RDS group were 18/41 or 43%. Failure rate in the pneumonia group was 3/9 or 33.3%. Higher cases of sepsis and pulmonary haemorrhage were seen in failure group (table2).Overall survival rate of the study population was 60 %. Conclusion: Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is safe, efficacious and easy to use in preterm& term neonates with mild to moderate respiratory distress. The major failure factors in our study were sepsis, recurrent apnea, and shock. The survival rate in our study was 60%

Prospective multi-center trial utilizing electronic brachytherapy for the treatment of endometrial cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A modified form of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy has been developed called Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy (EBT). EBT uses a kilovolt X-ray source and does not require treatment in a shielded vault or a HDR afterloader unit. A multi-center clinical study was carried out to evaluate the success of treatment delivery, safety and toxicity of EBT in patients with endometrial cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 15 patients with stage I or II endometrial cancer were enrolled at 5 sites. Patients were treated with vaginal EBT alone or in combination with external beam radiation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prescribed doses of EBT were successfully delivered in all 15 patients. From the first fraction through 3 months follow-up, there were 4 CTC Grade 1 adverse events and 2 CTC Grade II adverse events reported that were EBT related. The mild events reported were dysuria, vaginal dryness, mucosal atrophy, and rectal bleeding. The moderate treatment related adverse events included dysuria, and vaginal pain. No Grade III or IV adverse events were reported. The EBT system performed well and was associated with limited acute toxicities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>EBT shows acute results similar to HDR brachytherapy. Additional research is needed to further assess the clinical efficacy and safety of EBT in the treatment of endometrial cancer.</p