Ovarian mass in pregnancy: case series

Ovarian masses in pregnancy are not uncommon. Ovarian masses during pregnancy should be accurately evaluated to identify the patients who need surgical interventions from those where it can be managed conservatively. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are safe diagnostic tools during pregnancy. The overall incidence of ovarian tumours in pregnancy is 2.4-5.7%. Most masses are functional and asymptomatic and up to 70% resolve spontaneously in the second trimester. Both open surgery and laparoscopy can be performed considering the tumour diameter, gestational age and associated complications. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary in case of high suspicion of malignancy. This study evaluates the clinical features, course in pregnancy, management and pregnancy outcome in patients with ovarian masses diagnosed during pregnancy. This was a retrospective analysis of medical records of 6 patients diagnosed with ovarian mass during pregnancy in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore from June 2019 to June 2020

The study of causes, mode of delivery in intrauterine fetal death and associated complications

Background: Intra uterine fetal death (IUFD) is defined as the baby born with no signs of life at or after 28 weeks of gestation. It is important to diagnose the cause in order to avoid further recurrence and to treat any maternal associated factors. The aim of the present study was to calculate incidence of IUFD in our hospital and know the causes, mode of delivery, associated complications. So we can take measures to prevent them in future.Methods: The retrospective study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Kanachur Medical College, Mangalore from January 2017 to January 2020. The women with confirmed diagnosis of IUFD on Ultrasound and beyond 28 weeks of gestation were included in the study.Results: In the study period, total 2026 patients delivered, of which 40 cases were IUFD, hence our incidence rate was 19.74 per 1000 population. 62.5% cases were multigravida. 15% had previous history of abortions while 5% previously had IUFD. In 37.5% cases, the cause was unknown, followed by 22.5% having pregnancy induced hypertension. Anemia contributed to 17.5% and placental causes in 12.5%. 10% of the women had PPH. One patient had sepsis, followed by acute renal failure and later died of multi organ failure.Conclusions: All the causes are not preventable, many of them can be identified early in pregnancy and thus IUFD can be prevented. All the high risk pregnancies should undergo antenatal fetal surveillance and should have frequent ante natal visits to reduce IUFD rates

Associations of Polypharmacy and Inappropriate Medications with Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

© AlphaMed Press 2019 Background: Polypharmacy (PP) and potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) are highly prevalent in older adults with cancer. This study systematically reviews the associations of PP and/or PIM with outcomes and, through a meta-analysis, obtains estimates of postoperative outcomes associated with PP in this population. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials using standardized terms for concepts of PP, PIM, and cancer. Eligible studies included cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, meta-analyses, and clinical trials which examined outcomes associated with PP and/or PIM and included older adults with cancer. A random effects model included studies in which definitions of PP were consistent to examine the association of PP with postoperative complications. Results: Forty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. PP was defined as five or more medications in 57% of the studies. Commonly examined outcomes included chemotherapy toxicities, postoperative complications, functional decline, hospitalization, and overall survival. PP was associated with chemotherapy toxicities (4/9 studies), falls (3/3 studies), functional decline (3/3 studies), and overall survival (2/11 studies). A meta-analysis of four studies indicated an association between PP (≥5 medications) and postoperative complications (overall odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval [1.3–2.8]). PIM was associated with adverse outcomes in 3 of 11 studies. Conclusion: PP is associated with postoperative complications, chemotherapy toxicities, and physical and functional decline. Only three studies showed an association between PIM and outcomes. However, because of inconsistent definitions, heterogeneous populations, and variable study designs, these associations should be further investigated in prospective studies. Implications for Practice: Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) are prevalent in older adults with cancer. This systematic review summarizes the associations of polypharmacy and PIM with health outcomes in older patients with cancer. Polypharmacy and PIM have been associated with postoperative complications, frailty, falls, medication nonadherence, chemotherapy toxicity, and mortality. These findings emphasize the prognostic importance of careful medication review and identification of PIM by oncology teams. They also underscore the need to develop and test interventions to address polypharmacy and PIM in older patients with cancer, with the goal of improving outcomes in these patients

Advances in Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs): challenges and road-map for future development

Recent advances in wireless communication technologies and auto-mobile industry have triggered a significant research interest in the field of vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) over the past few years. A vehicular network consists of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications supported by wireless access technologies such as IEEE 802.11p. This innovation in wireless communication has been envisaged to improve road safety and motor traffic efficiency in near future through the development of intelligent transportation system (ITS). Hence, governments, auto-mobile industries and academia are heavily partnering through several ongoing research projects to establish standards for VANETs. The typical set of VANET application areas, such as vehicle collision warning and traffic information dissemination have made VANET an interesting field of mobile wireless communication. This paper provides an overview on current research state, challenges, potentials of VANETs as well as the ways forward to achieving the long awaited ITS

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Formulation and Targeting Efficiency of Cisplatin Engineered Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

The present study is aimed at the overall improvement in the efficacy, reduced toxicity and enhancement of therapeutic index of cisplatin. Solid lipid nanoparticulate delivery system of cisplatin has been developed by microemulsification method by using stearic acid, soy lecithin 95% and sodium glycolate. The formulations were then characterized with respect to size and its surface morphology, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release profile, in vivo drug targeting studies and its stability under specific conditions. The formulated solid lipid nanoparticles were oval with a diameter ranging from 250 nm to 500 nm. The lowest entrapment efficiency was found to be 47.59% and highest was found to be 74.53%. The zeta potential was in the range of -9.8 to -11.2 mv. In vitro release study was analyzed using various mathematical models. Highest cumulative percent drug release was observed with F-1 (97.22 %) and lowest with F-4 (78.43%) in 16 h. The in vivo result of formulated solid lipid nanoparticles of cisplatin reveals that the drug is preferentially targeting to liver followed by brain and lungs

A Methodology to Determine Impact of Robotic Technologies on Space Science Mission

Presented at the 10th International Symposium on Robotics and Applications, Seville, Spain, June 2004This paper presents a new method for evaluating relative strengths and impact of robotic technologies utilized for space exploration missions. The method uses a three tiered process involving mission analysis, technology performance characterization, and technology influence models. Mission analysis focuses on determining the goals of the mission and evaluating the metrics that quantify those goals. Technology performance characterization allows the method to classify the capabilities of a diverse set of robotic technologies, in a systematic fashion, whereas the technology influence models allow understanding of the relationships between technology output and mission requirements. This three-tiered process is designed to provide a general framework for understanding the relative benefits of robotic technologies. Details on the method are provided in this paper and are illustrated on a representative Mars exploration mission

Qualitative and Quantitative Content Determination of Macro-Minor Elements in Bryonia Alba L. Roots using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Technique

Purpose: To determine the elements in Bryonia alba L. roots, collected from the Crimean Peninsula region in Ukraine. Methods: Dry ashing was used as a flexible method and all elements were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) equipped with flame and graphite furnace. Results: The average concentrations of the determined elements, expressed as mg/100 g dry weight of the sample, were as follow: 13.000 for Fe, 78.000 for Si, 88.000 for P, 7.800 for Al, 0.130 for Mn, 105.000 for Mg, 0.030 for Pb, 0.052 for Ni, 0.030 for Mo, 210.000 for Ca, 0.130 for Cu, 5.200 for Zn, 13.000 for Na, 1170.000 for K, 0.780 for Sr, 0.030 for Co, 0.010 for Cd, 0.010 for As, and 0.010 for Hg. Toxic elements such as Cd and Pb were also found but at very low concentration. Among the analyzed elements, K was the most abundant followed by Ca, Mg, P, Si, Fe, Na, and Zn, whereas Hg, As, Cd, Co, Mo, and Pb were found in low concentration. Conclusion: The results suggest that the roots of Bryonia alba L. plant has potential medicinal property through their high element contents present. Moreover, it showed that the AAS method is a simple, fast, and reliable for the determination of elements in plant materials. The obtained results of the current study provide justification for the usage of such fruit in daily diet for nutrition and for medicinal usage in the treatment of various diseases