Giant splenic cyst: A case report and consolidated review of literature with radiographic features

The spleen is a relative stranger to the world of cysts and tumors, which when discovered, are often incidental findings in otherwise asymptomatic individuals. Splenic cysts are far more common than solid lesions and can include congenital, inflammatory, vascular, post-traumatic, neoplastic, and parasitic types. Parasitic cysts in the spleen are usually caused by the larval forms of Echinococcus, a cyclophyllid tapeworm. However rare, it is important to recognize the splenic presentation of this uncommon entity to prevent life-threatening complications like anaphylaxis induced by traumatic or spontaneous cyst rupture. We report here a case of a giant dumbbell-shaped splenic cyst. Hydatid disease of the spleen should be considered in the differential of every patient presenting with a cystic lesion of the spleen in the endemic areas until proven otherwise

The incidence of metabolic syndrome amongst Qatar migrants 24 months post-migration: a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study.

Background and Objective: Evidence indicates that migration to Western countries is associated with increased metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk. There is, however, a scarcity of data about MetS incidence in migrants to Middle Eastern countries. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between migration and the incidence of MetS following a 24-months residency in Qatar. Method: Following the necessary ethics approvals, migrants to Qatar aged 18–65 years were invited to participate. Baseline screening for MetS parameters included glycated haemoglobin, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference. Migrants with normal metabolic parameters were invited for rescreening 24-months post-migration and, parameters repeated. Those with abnormal metabolic parameters were counselled or referred for medical review and excluded from follow up. Main outcome measures: The incidence of metabolic syndrome amongst initially metabolic syndrome-free moigratns, 24-months post migration. The determinants of MetS andMetS elements among Qatar migrants, 24 months post migration. Results: Four hundred seventy-two consented to participate of 1379 identified. 205 (43.4%) migrants had normal metabolic parameters at baseline and were recalled 24 months post-migration, with 160 completing follow-up. The incidence of MetS within this group rose to 17% (n=27/160, 95% CI; 11.0%–23.0%) and 81% (n=129/160) developed at least one element of MetS following 24 months in Qatar. Conclusion: Migration to Qatar was associated with the development of MetS after 24 months of migration. Further studies are required to determine the risk factors and the predictors of MetS amongst migrants to Qatar

The incidence and determinants of metabolic syndrome amongst a group of migrants to Qatar: a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study 24-months post-migration.

While there is some evidence that migration to Western countries increases metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk, there is a lack of data pertaining to migration to the Middle East. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between migration and MetS incidence following 24-months of residency in Qatar and identify possible MetS determinants. Migrants to Qatar employed at Hamad Medical Corporation (the national health service) aged 18–65 years were invited to participate. Baseline and follow-up screening for MetS included HbA1c, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference. MetS-free migrants were rescreened 24-months post-migration, and the World Health Organization STEPwise questionnaire was administered, assessing changes in lifestyle from baseline. Of 1095 migrants contacted, 472 consented to participate, 205 of whom had normal metabolic parameters at baseline; 160 completed follow-up screening. Most participants were males (74.6%, n = 153) and Asian (81.0%, n = 166/205), and two thirds (66.3%, n = 136/205) were nurses. The incidence of new-onset MetS was 17.0% (n = 27/160, 95%CI; 11.0–23.0%), with 81.0% (n = 129/160, 95%CI; 73.8–86.0%) having at least one MetS element 24-months post-residency in Qatar. Male gender was a risk factor for MetS (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3, p = 0.116), as was consuming medication that could induce MetS (AOR = 6.3, p < 0.001). There is merit in further research targeting these groups

Is there a role for the pharmacist in screening for metabolic syndrome?

Evidence for a pharmacist role in the screening of MetS has been shown to be effective in at risk populations. Despite migrants being an at risk group for the development of MetS, no literature has described screening of migrants by pharmacists. The aim of this research was therefore to identify the impact of the pharmacist role in screening migrants on arrival in a Middle Eastern country and following 24 months of residency in the Middle East. This was a prospective longitudinal observational study. Migrants aged 18–65 years were informed about the research by pharmacists and consented to participate. Baseline screening for MetS risk factors was conducted. Parameters included glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), blood pressure (BP) and waist circumference (WC). All migrants with identified metabolic abnormalities at this screening stage were referred to physicians by the pharmacist for further management. Migrants with normal metabolic parameters at baseline were invited to be re-screened by pharmacists. This will allow identification of an increase in any incidence of MetS, and will allow for earlier intervention and management. Of the 1379 identified migrants, 460 consented to participate; 70% were men and 82.2% (378) were Asians. Pharmacist-led screening revealed 13.9% (64) with abnormal BP, 6.7% (31) with pre-diabetes, 21.4% (91) with elevated TG, 25% (115) with low HDL–C and 47% (219) with high WC. 16% (75) were found to have MetS and were referred to the physician for follow-up. These participants were consequently identified as at risk for development of MetS at a much earlier stage. A total of 199 migrants with normal metabolic parameters will be followed-up following 24 months of residency in the Middle East. Throughout the study, migrants with metabolic abnormalities were referred by pharmacists to physicians for further management. The study indicates that pharmacist screening is effective for early identification and potential early management of MetS in this migrant population

Lymph Node Cytology: Morphology and Beyond!

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), being minimally invasive, rapid, cost-effective provides a valuable first-line diagnostic tool in the evaluation of lymphadenopathies both benign and malignant. Various ancillary techniques namely immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, cell blocks, and molecular studies further improve the diagnostic accuracy of FNACs. Targeted FNAC under ultrasound guidance optimizes cellular yield in palpable and non-palpable lymphadenopathies. FNAC proves to be indispensable at establishing tissue diagnosis in cases when surgical excision is unfeasible, as in elderly patients with comorbidities or in metastatic settings. Nevertheless, lymph node FNAC represents a daunting task owing to the multitude of benign and malignant causes of lymphadenopathy. To aid categorization and better communication to the clinician, an emphasis on classification and reporting of lymph node cytopathology using Sydney system is laid upon

Exploring state-of-the-art advances in targeted nanomedicines for managing acute and chronic inflammatory lung diseases

Diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases pose serious challenges. Currently, diagnostic as well as therapeutic methods show poor efficacy toward drug-resistant bacterial infections, while chemotherapy causes toxicity and nonspecific delivery of drugs. Advanced treatment methods that cure lung-related diseases, by enabling drug bioavailability via nasal passages during mucosal formation, which interferes with drug penetration to targeted sites, are in demand. Nanotechnology confers several advantages. Currently, different nanoparticles, or their combinations, are being used to enhance targeted drug delivery. Nanomedicine, a combination of nanoparticles and therapeutic agents, that delivers drugs to targeted sites increases the bioavailability of drugs at these sites. Thus, nanotechnology is superior to conventional chemotherapeutic strategies. Here, the authors review the latest advancements in nanomedicine-based drug-delivery methods for managing acute and chronic inflammatory lung diseases

Energy-Efficient Constant Gain Kalman Filter Based Tracking in Wireless Sensor Network

Target tracking is one of the most widely used applications of wireless sensor network (WSN). Efficient usage of energy is a key issue in WSN application such as target tracking. Another important criterion is a tracking accuracy that can be achieved by using appropriate tracking mechanism. Because of the special characteristic of WSN, there is a trade-off between tracking accuracy and power consumption. Our aim is to improve tracking accuracy as well as provide energy-efficient solution by integrating the concept of clustering and prediction techniques. This paper presents Energy-Efficient Constant Gain Kalman Filter based Tracking (EECGKFT) algorithm to optimize the energy usage and to increase the tracking accuracy. There is also a need to collect data from network having a mobile Base Station (BS). Hence, performance of proposed algorithm is analyzed for a static BS and also for mobile BS. The results depict that proposed algorithm performs better compared to the existing algorithms in energy efficiency and prediction accuracy. Analysis of results validates that EECGKFT increases energy efficiency by reducing transmission of unnecessary data in the sensor network environment and also provides good tracking results

Modeling monthly streamflow in mountainous basin by MARS, GMDH-NN and DENFIS using hydroclimatic data

Accurate estimation of streamflow has a vital importance in water resources engineering, management and planning. In the present study, the abilities of group method of data handling-neural networks (GMDH-NN), dynamic evolving neural-fuzzy inference system (DENFIS) and multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) methods are investigated for monthly streamflow prediction. Precipitation, temperature and streamflows from Kalam and Chakdara stations at Swat River basin (mountainous basin), Pakistan, are used as inputs to the applied models in the form of different input scenarios, and models' performances are evaluated on the basis of root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and combined accuracy (CA) indexes. Test results of the Kalam Station show that the DENFIS model provides more accurate prediction results in comparison of GMDH-NN and MARS models with the lowest RMSE (18.9 m(3)/s), MAE (13.1 m(3)/s), CA (10.6 m(3)/s) and the highest NSE (0.941). For the Chakdara Station, the MARS outperforms the GMDH-NN and DENFIS models with the lowest RMSE (47.5 m(3)/s), MAE (31.6 m(3)/s), CA (26.1 m(3)/s) and the highest NSE (0.905). Periodicity (month number of the year) effect on models' accuracies in predicting monthly streamflow is also examined. Obtained results demonstrate that the periodicity improves the models' accuracies in general but not necessarily in every case. In addition, the results also show that the monthly streamflow could be successfully predicted using only precipitation and temperature variables as inputs