Feature Match for Medical Images

This paper represents an algorithm for Feature Match, a summed up estimated approximate nearest neighbor field (ANNF) calculation system, between a source and target image. The proposed calculation can estimate ANNF maps between any image sets, not as a matter of course related. This generalization is accomplished through proper spatial-range changes. To register ANNF maps, worldwide shading adjustment is connected as a reach change on the source picture. Image patches from the pair of pictures are approximated utilizing low-dimensional elements, which are utilized alongside KD-tree to appraise the ANNF map. This ANNF guide is further enhanced in view of picture coherency and spatial changes. The proposed generalization, empowers to handle a more extensive scope of vision applications, which have not been handled utilizing the ANNF structure. Here one such application is outlined namely: optic plate discovery .This application manages restorative imaging, where optic circles are found in retinal pictures utilizing a sound optic circle picture as regular target picture. ANNF mappings is used in this application and is shown experimentally that the proposed approaches are faster and accurate, compared with the state-of the-art techniques

Global Health Teaching in India: A Curricular Landscape

Today, health has transcended national boundaries and become more multifaceted. Global health has evolved as a new paradigm and is recently being identified as a thrust area now in India. Despite an existing need for a standardized global health curriculum, there is little information available on its education and curriculum in medical and health education space. In the Indian context, we are yet to have a fuller picture of the current status, including, content, structure, selection, teaching methods of global health, and how students are evaluated in India. The objective of this study was to map courses relating to studies on global health in India and analyze its mode of delivery. A detailed Internet search was carried out to identify global health courses and analyzed for: (i) whether global health is a part of the teaching curriculum, (ii) mode of teaching, (iii) broad contents, (iv) instructional formats, (v) assessment, and (vi) selection process. It was found that delivery of global health education in India was fragmented with limited focus at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Global health teaching was largely based on certificate courses or online courses, with hardly any institutions imparting a distinct global health education program. There is also no definite specification as to which institutes can impart teaching on global health education and what the specific eligibility requirements are. Our analysis suggests that efforts should be directed toward integrating global health education into broader public health curriculum. At the same time, the need for generation of global health leaders, creation of a common forum for addressing merits and demerits of global health issues, as well as creation of more opportunities for placements are recognized

PRACTICING HEALTH PROMOTION IN PRIMARY CARE – A REFLECTIVE ENQUIRY

IntroductionHealth promotion is an integral part of routine clinical practice. The physicians’ role in improving the health status of the general population, through effective understanding and delivery of health promotion practice, is evident throughout the international literature. Data from India suggest that physicians have limited skills in delivering specific health promotion services. However, the data available on this is scarce. This study was planned to document the current health promotion knowledge, perception and practices of local primary care physicians in Odisha. MethodsAn exploratory study was planned between the months of January – February 2013 in Odisha among primary care physicians working in government set up. This exploratory study was conducted, using a two-step self-administered questionnaire, thirty physicians practicing under government health system were asked to map their ideal and current health promotion practice, and potential health promotion elements to be worked upon to enhance the practice. ResultsThe study recorded a significant difference between the mean of current and ideal health promotion practices. The study reported that physicians want to increase their practice on health education. ConclusionWe concluded that inclusion of health promotion practices in routine care is imperative for a strong healthcare system. It should be incorporated as a structured health promotion module in medical curriculum as well

Polyethylene/Polyhydroxyalkanoates-based Biocomposites and Bionanocomposites

The development of advanced polymer composite materials having superior mechanical properties has opened up new horizons in the field of science and engineering. Polyethylene (PE) is considered one of the most widely used thermoplastics in the world due to its excellent properties which have excellent chemical inertness, low coefficient of friction, toughness, near-zero moisture absorption, ease of processing and electrical properties. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are garnering increasing attention in the biodegradable polymer market because of their promising properties such as high biodegradability in different environments. This chapter covers polyethylene/polyhydroxyalkanoates-based biocomposites and bionanocomposites. It summarizes many of the recent research accomplishments in the area of PE/PHAs-based biocomposites and bionanocomposites such as state-of-the-art regarding different methods of their preparation. Also discussed are different characterization techniques and use of PE/PHAs-based biocomposites and bionanocomposites in biomedical, packaging, structural, military, coating, fire retardant, aerospace and optical applications, along with recycling and lifetime studies

Addressing the escalating burden of chronic diseases in India: Need for strengthening primary care

The growing epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has impacted the national health systems, policies, and socioeconomic developments, thereby leading to increasing country level disparities. Despite substantial improvements in health indicators made in the past decade, the Indian health-care system continues to contribute disproportionately to the global disease burden, wherein NCDs holds significant prominence. Against this background, the present review analyzes the current NCD landscape from the perspective of India's health system preparedness toward meeting this growing challenge. Implementation and delivery of strategies and interventions are often impeded by existing grass root level challenges. Recognizing the importance of effective primary care, the review highlights the importance of implementing affordable, accessible, and comprehensive interventions, and delivering them at societal, a community and individual level. This simultaneously calls for strengthening of the primary care system through appropriate strategy and policy frameworks. Toward addressing India-specific needs in NCD prevention and management, concerted efforts on development of robust surveillance mechanisms, intersectoral and interdepartmental collaborations, integration of national programs, enhanced role of education and awareness should be made, to ensure effectivity, scale-up, and outreach of services in primary care

Isolation of a halophilic V<i>irgibacillus</i> sp. EMB13: Characterization of its protease for detergent application

416-426Isolation and characterization of a moderately halophilic bacterium, Virgibacillus sp. EMB13, from the West coast of India has been described in the present study. It produced five different extracellular proteases. Conditions were optimized for maximum protease production. Under optimized conditions, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">viz., a medium containing (%, w/v) yeast extract, 1.0; peptone, 0.5; mannitol, 0.5; NaCl, 0.5; KCl, 1.0; CaCl2, 0.03 and MgSO4, 0.04 with pH 8, it produced 270 U protease mL-1. The protease was partially purified by DEAE ion exchange and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration chromatography. The purified preparation contained two unseparated proteases with apparent molecular masses of 49 and 54 kDa, respectively. The preparation was stable at different concentrations of NaCl (0-15%, w/v) and pH range 6.0-12.0. It exhibited maximal activity at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">pH 7.5, temperature 50°C and 1% (w/v) NaCl. The Km and Vmax values towards casein were 7.5 mg mL-1 and 156.25 µg min-1 mL-1, respectively. Inhibition of their proteolytic activity by EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline indicated them to be metalloprotease in nature. The proteases exhibited remarkable stability in the presence of salt and organic solvents. These properties enable them for novel applications in non-aqueous enzymology and as an additive in detergent formulations

Health at the time of demonetization

Health care is one of the key essential services to be traditionally impacted by financial turbulences. The Government of India announced the demonetization of INR 500 and INR 1000 currency notes in November 2016 to curb corruption and introduce economic transparency. The present commentary analyzes the impact of this economic reform on the availability/delivery of health-care services and also its transient effect on the general population availing such services during the first 2 weeks post demonetization. While print and electronic media indicated initial setback and displeasure with reference to delivery and access of health-care services, personal interaction with caregivers or patients suggested that there was no lasting adverse effect on health-care delivery. In fact, the enthusiasm for a cleaner economy meant for the greater good of the country prevailed among the general public and allowed them to bear these hardships. Our assessment suggests that demonetization and its consequential transition were viewed favorably. Financial and economic reforms initiated in the national interest can therefore be managed well with public support

cVEMP, oVEMP and Caloric Test Results in Individuals with Meniere’s Disease

Objective: The present study aimed to characterize cVEMP, oVEMP and caloric test findings in individuals with Meniere’s disease.Methods: 29 participants with Meniere’s disease and 29 participants with normal hearing were enrolled for the study. Out of 29 participants in the experimental group, 25 of them had unilateral Meniere’s disease and 4 of them had bilateral Meniere’s disease (Total 33 ears diagnosed with Meniere’s and 25 ears with non-Meniere’s disease). All the participants underwent routine audiological, cVEMP, oVEMP and Caloric testing.Results: Out of 33 ears with Meniere’s disease, 29 ears had absent responses on cVEMP, 23 ears showed absent oVEMP responses, 27 ears had hypo-activity, five ears showed hyper activity and one ear showed normal response to caloric stimulation. In the contralateral ear (25 ears with non-Meniere’s disease) both cVEMP and oVEMP were absent in 5 of the ears, cVEMP was absent and oVEMP was present in 13 ears, cVEMP was present and oVEMP was absent in 1 ear, whereas both cVEMP and oVEMP were present in 6 ears in individuals with Meniere’s disease. However, the caloric responses were present normally in the contralateral ear in individuals with Meniere’s disease.Conclusions: The combination of cVEMP, oVEMP and caloric test provides valuable information regarding localization of hydrops in individuals with Meniere’s disease

Prolonged postoperative desaturation in a child with Down syndrome and atrial septal defect

We report prolonged desaturation in a child with Down syndrome (DS) and atrial septal defect due to undiagnosed interstitial lung disease. An 18-month-old child with DS was scheduled for bilateral lens aspiration for cataract. The child had atrial septal defect and hypothyroidism. He also had delayed milestones and hypotonia with episodes of recurrent respiratory tract infection necessitating repeated hospitalization. Preoperative evaluation was unremarkable. General anaesthesia and controlled ventilation using proseal laryngeal mask airway was instituted. He had uneventful intraoperative period. In the postoperative period, the child had desaturation 1 hour after surgery on discontinuation of oxygen supplementation by face mask, which improved with oxygen therapy. Supplemental oxygen via face mask was continued and weaned off over several days. On further evaluation, the child was diagnosed as having interstitial lung disease. He improved and discharged from the hospital 15 days after the surgery with room air saturation of 90%