Exact Tests for Singular Network Data

Abstract We propose methodology for exact statistical tests of hypotheses for models of network dynamics. The methodology formulates Markovian exponential families, then uses sequential importance sampling to compute expectations within basins of attraction and within level sets of a sufficient statistic for an overdispersion model. Comparisons of hypotheses can be done conditional on basins of attraction. Examples are presented

Indications and trends of caesarean birth delivery in the current practice scenario

Background: Objective of current study was to analyze incidence, indications and trends of cesarean birth delivery in our environment.Methods: A prospective study of the cesarean sections performed at V.S. general teaching hospital in Ahmedabad from January 2008 to December 2013Results: Out of 28,411 total deliveries, 11629 women underwent CS. Each year the CS rate, above 40%, was relatively constant. 72.46% patients were within 20-29 years of age group. 39% patients were from middle to higher socio-economic class. CS in emergency patient was consistently more than 50% and in registered patient around 40%. Maternal indications for CS were twice common to fetal indications. Previous CS and fetal distress were the commonest among maternal and fetal indications respectively. Overall maternal morbidity in CS ranged from 8-10%, commonest being blood transfusion and wound infection. Neonatal morbidity was less than half and neonatal mortality was almost one third in comparison to normal delivery. Rising CS trend was noted in patients with previous CS, fetal distress, oligohydramnios and failed induction. Gradual but constant decline in CS rate was noted among emergency patients, patient with CPD, obstructed labor and PROM.Conclusions: Although to some extent higher CS rate is justifiable due to remarkable reduction in neonatal mortality and morbidity in high risk patients; the CS rate in our environment is still three times higher than WHO recommendation. In controlled environment with experienced staff, careful selection of patients for normal delivery among patients with previous CS, breech presentation and scientific induction of labor may satisfy our concern for mother and newborn safety while keeping the CS rate low

Role of doppler in fetal growth restriction

Background: Fetal growth restriction is an important and particularly challenging problem for modern obstetricians and paediatricians. The present study is to correlate the importance of Doppler velocimetry and perinatal outcome in cases of growth restricted foetuses by comparing perinatal outcome of control & study groups with normal and abnormal Doppler waveforms.Methods: A study and a control group comprising of 50 pregnant women having growth restricted foetuses in each group was matched for all other confounding factors except for Doppler changes. These patients were followed up and the perinatal outcomes of FGR foetuses having Doppler changes was compared with those having normal Doppler studies.Results: In our study, alteration in both MCA and UmbA Doppler was associated with perinatal morbidity and NICU admissions in 64% and mortality in 28%. Doppler changes showing altered CPR less than 1 had adverse outcome with NICU admission in 61% and mortality in 34%. Alteration in DV Doppler was associated with perinatal morbidity and NICU admissions in 17% cases and mortality in 83% cases, with no pregnancies having a healthy outcome. Among high-risk pregnancies with suspected IUGR, the use of Doppler assessment significantly decreases the likelihood of labor induction, caesarean delivery, and perinatal deaths.Conclusions: Abnormal Doppler waveform changes indicate adverse perinatal outcome of pregnancies with FGR. Doppler study helps to reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity by timely and appropriate interventions

Frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups among blood donors in tertiary care hospital of South Gujarat, India

Background: Since it was discovered by Karl Landsteiner, the ABO blood group system is the most important blood group system in Transfusion Medicine. The blood group systems are also very important in population genetic studies, researching population migration patterns as well as resolving certain medico-legal issues, particularly disputed parentage. This study was carried out with an objective to provide data regarding gene frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups among blood donors in South Gujarat, India.Methods: Data of 40732 blood donors were retrospectively collected and analyzed regarding ABO and Rh blood groups from May-2011 to April-2016 and reported in simple numbers and percentage. Blood group of the blood donors was determined by forward and reverse methods with the help of commercially available standard monoclonal antisera by test tube and column agglutination techniques in required cases.Results: The most common blood group among donors was B (34.43%) followed by O (32.26%), A (24.35%), while the least prevalent blood group was AB (8.94%). Rh positivity among donors was (95.12%). Rests were Rh Negative (4.87%). The estimated gene frequencies were 0.1844 for IA (p), 0.2477 for IB (q) and 0.5679 for IO (r).Conclusions: The most common blood group in donors was B positive and least common was AB negative

Prevalence and trends of transfusion transmitted infections among blood donors of blood bank attached to government hospital of South Gujarat, India

Background: Though the blood transfusion is lifesaving, it is never risk free and carries potential risk for transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs).The objective of present study is to assess the prevalence and trend of TTIs among blood donors in the blood bank attached to tertiary level government hospital and its comparison with national data and other studies of different regions.Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study was done including healthy blood donor of 18-65 years from May 2011 to April 2016. TTIs testing were done with 3rd generation ELISA for HIV, HBV and HCV and HIV testing was also done with 4th generation ELISA from the year 2014 onwards. Syphilis screening was done either by RPR, TPHA strip test or ELISA and Malaria parasite was tested either by peripheral smear or rapid test.Results: From 40971 donors in study, 550 (1.34%) donors were sero-reactive from which 400 (0.98%) donors were reactive for HBV, 67 (0.16%) were for syphilis, 40 (0.098%) were for HCV, 33 (0.081%) were reactive for HIV and 10 (0.024%) were malaria positive. During the study period four donors showed co infection for HIV and HBV. Most common age group to be sero reactive in the present study is 21-30 years of age (43.09% of total).Conclusions: Prevalence of TTIs in the present study was lower as compare to other studies of the India. The reasons behind this finding may be better pre-donation counseling, better life style, higher proportion of voluntary blood donation (> 99%) and high pre-donation deferral rate (11.17%)

THE STUDY OF PLATELET VOLUME INDICES IN PLATELET APHAERESIS PROCEDURE: AN EXPERIENCE OF 271 PLATELET APHAERESIS PROCEDURES

Background: Platelet activity can be assessed by platelet volume indices like MPV, PDW & P-LCR. Aim: To develop an approach in blood bank professional, a habit of looking at platelet indices in hematology analyzer report of aphaeresis donors & QC samples of platelet aphaeresis products. Methods and materials: A retrospective data analysis was done for 271 platelet aphaeresis procedures conducted on CS3000 plus with AMS cell separator, Fenwal, USA& COM.TEC, Fresenius Kabi, Germany. Samples of the donors were collected before aphaeresis & 1 to 2 ml sample from each bag was collected in the satellite pouch attached to bag & analysis was done on day 0 & day 7. Platelet parameters were measured on automated hematology analyzers SYSMEX KX-21 & Horiba Micros 60.Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was done by calculating ‘r value’ & a paired t test at 95 % confidence interval. A P value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: The mean platelet yield was 3.39±0.88 x 1011/unit. The platelet yield correlated negatively with MPV, PDW and PLCR (r value -0.224, -0.045 & -0.159 respectively for correlation between MPV, PDW & PLCR with the yield, P <0.0001).The mean values of PVI of SDP were significantly smaller than that of donor pre-donation samples (paired t test P value < 0.05).The size of stored single donor platelet on day 7 were significantly larger than that of day 0 (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: The platelet indices are useful to study - selectively smaller platelet separation by automated cell separators, storage lesions & yield prediction

Exact Tests for Singular Network Data

We propose methodology for exact statistical tests of hypotheses for models of network dynamics. The methodology formulates Markovian exponential families, then uses sequential importance sampling to compute expectations within basins of attraction and within level sets of a sufficient statistic for an over-dispersion model. Comparisons of hypotheses can be done conditional on basins of attraction. Examples are presented

A Bayesian Latent Scale Model for Multivariate Longitudinal Data

In order to understand the entire course of slow progressing diseases like Alzheimer\u27s dementia or multiple sclerosis, it is essential to characterize long term disease dynamics from a healthy stage to a late disease stage. Cohort studies typically recruit subjects at different stages of the disease and then follow them for a relatively short period of time. In this dissertation, we propose a novel Bayesian nonlinear mixed effects model with latent time scale to characterize long term disease dynamics using the observed short term longitudinal data from cohort studies without relying on clinical diagnosis. This model can accommodate noisy longitudinal multi-modal data with missing values. We train the proposed model using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo to estimate the model parameters. To test the novel model for parameter recovery, we first conducted a simulation data experiment. Later we applied the model to two real world datasets: (1) Alzheimer\u27s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) for dementia, and (2) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for multiple sclerosis. The results from simulation experiment indicated that all the ground truth fixed effect parameters are within the estimated 80% credible interval and more than 80% of ground truth random effects are within their estimated 80% credible interval. For the ADNI dataset, we predicted time to Alzheimer\u27s dementia with root mean squared error (RMSE) of 1.85 years and found that the latent scale was significantly correlated with discrete disease staging scale Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDRSB) with correlation coefficient of 0.66. Finally, for OCT data, the estimated slopes of biomarkers were consistent with the hypothesis in published literature. Moreover, the latent scale was significantly correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), a commonly used measure to assess MS progression with correlation coefficient of 0.45. In addition to that, we also demonstrated the use of this model for prediction of future biomarker values given the subjects history of measurements. The above results support the broader clinical utility of the model for staging subjects and prediction of future biomarker measurements from limited short term longitudinal data

Historical Overview of Kutch Embroideries

524-529Handicrafts for eternity hold the essence of its original abode though it transforms according to the change in milieu and time. Knowledge of past at all times facilitates the inkling of foundation. It provides the inspiration for future modifications and innovations. Embroidery of Kutch has withstood the ravages of time and tough competition with other handicrafts of the region. The changing times have though, affected Kutch and its crafts as various progressive factors like commercialization and industrialization that have influenced the life of artisans. It was essential to record the history of omnipotent needle craft of Kutch in order to maintain the roots intact which can serve as a guideline for future generations. Survey was undertaken to exhume and document the history of Kutch embroidery craft apart from desk research