Theoretical Investigation of Different Diversity Combining Techniques in Cognitive Radio, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2018, nr 3

In this paper, the performance of an energy detector in cognitive radio, using different diversity combining techniques, is evaluated. Among many diversity combining techniques, maximal ratio combining (MRC) gives the best results but at the cost of the highest complexity. To design a simpler receiver, it is suggested to use less complex combining techniques, i.e. switched diversity, which provides one of the least complex solutions to combat fading. The paper analyzes two switched diversity schemes, switch examine combining (SEC), and switch examine combining with post examining selection (SECp). A closed form expression determining the probability of detection using MRC, SEC and SECp is derived for various numbers of branches. Detection performance with different diversity combining techniques is compared and the complexity trade-off is observed

Investigation of DNA damage response and apoptotic gene methylation pattern in sporadic breast tumors using high throughput quantitative DNA methylation analysis technology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background-</p> <p>Sporadic breast cancer like many other cancers is proposed to be a manifestation of abnormal genetic and epigenetic changes. For the past decade our laboratory has identified genes involved in DNA damage response (DDR), apoptosis and immunesurvelliance pathways to influence sporadic breast cancer risk in north Indian population. Further to enhance our knowledge at the epigenetic level, we performed DNA methylation study involving 17 gene promoter regions belonging to DNA damage response (DDR) and death receptor apoptotic pathway in 162 paired normal and cancerous breast tissues from 81 sporadic breast cancer patients, using a high throughput quantitative DNA methylation analysis technology.</p> <p>Results-</p> <p>The study identified five genes with statistically significant difference between normal and tumor tissues. Hypermethylation of <it>DR5 </it>(P = 0.001)<it>, DCR1 </it>(P = 0.00001)<it>, DCR2 </it>(P = 0.0000000005) and <it>BRCA2 </it>(P = 0.007) and hypomethylation of <it>DR4 </it>(P = 0.011) in sporadic breast tumor tissues suggested a weak/aberrant activation of the DDR/apoptotic pathway in breast tumorigenesis. Negative correlation was observed between methylation status and transcript expression levels for <it>TRAIL</it>, <it>DR4</it>, <it>CASP8</it>, <it>ATM</it>, <it>CHEK2</it>, <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>CpG sites. Categorization of the gene methylation with respect to the clinicopathological parameters showed an increase in aberrant methylation pattern in advanced tumors. These uncharacteristic methylation patterns corresponded with decreased death receptor apoptosis (P = 0.047) and DNA damage repair potential (P = 0.004) in advanced tumors. The observation of BRCA2 -26 G/A 5'UTR polymorphism concomitant with the presence of methylation in the promoter region was novel and emerged as a strong candidate for susceptibility to sporadic breast tumors.</p> <p>Conclusion-</p> <p>Our study indicates that methylation of DDR-apoptotic gene promoters in sporadic breast cancer is not a random phenomenon. Progressive epigenetic alterations in advancing tumors result in aberrant DDR-apoptotic pathway thereby promoting tumor development. We propose, since pathological epigenetic changes of the DDR-apoptotic genes are reversible modifications, these could further be targeted for therapeutic interventions.</p

Cohort Profile: Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study

The Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study was established to assess the prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction, a key characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and its risk factors in adults (≥40 years) from general populations across the world. The baseline study was conducted between 2003 and 2016, in 41 sites across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Oceania, and collected high-quality pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry from 28 828 participants. The follow-up study was conducted between 2019 and 2021, in 18 sites across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. At baseline, there were in these sites 12 502 participants with high-quality spirometry. A total of 6452 were followed up, with 5936 completing the study core questionnaire. Of these, 4044 also provided high-quality pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry. On both occasions, the core questionnaire covered information on respiratory symptoms, doctor diagnoses, health care use, medication use and ealth status, as well as potential risk factors. Information on occupation, environmental exposures and diet was also collected

A study to compare acceptability, safety and continuation rates of combined hormonal pill and centchroman as post abortion contraceptives

Background: Centchroman a non-steroidal selective estrogen receptor modifier (SERM). It is highly effective contraceptive which is devoid of side effects of COCs and there is prompt return of fertility upon discontinuation. Data in terms of its acceptability and continuation rates is limited when compared to combined oral contraceptive (COC). Therefore, the study was planned to study the acceptability, efficacy and continuation rates of centchroman and compare it with the combined oral contraceptives.Methods: The study was a prospective interventional comparative randomized study carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynecology VMMC and SJH, New Delhi, for a period of 18 months from November 2018 to April 2019.Results: A total of 945 women were screened and finally 240 women who met the criteria were recruited in 2 study groups of 120 women each. Majority were in the age group 18-28 years in either groups. Patients were followed up at 2nd week and then at 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th months after initiation of the OCP with no loss to follow up. The pearl index in this study was 0.83 for ormeloxifene. The study showed statistically significant differences with higher level of satisfaction reported with 77.5% in the ormeloxifene compared to 65% of COCs. The continuation rates for ormeloxifene and COC users were in decreasing trend with increase in duration. No untoward events were reported with either formulation.Conclusions: Both the hormonal, combined hormonal contraceptive [combined oral contraceptive (COC), MALA-N] and the non-hormonal, centchroman (ormeloxifene) oral contraceptive pills are safe, effective, well tolerated and not associated with adverse outcomes when used immediately after abortion. Continuation rates of the pills in both the groups decrease in trend with time

Procalcitonin levels in maternal serum and cord blood as marker for diagnosis of early onset neonatal sepsis

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of Procalcitonin in maternal serum and umbilical cord blood samples to predict Early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS). Study Design: It was a Prospective analytical cohort study. Pregnant women ≥ 34 weeks gestation in active labour, with risk factors for EONS were included in the study. Maternal blood samples at recruitment and umbilical cord blood samples after delivery were taken for Total leucocyte count (TLC), high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and Procalcitonin. Newborns were classified into non-infected, suspected and proven infection. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of maternal and cord blood procalcitonin, TLC and hs-CRP were calculated. Results: A total of 200 women were recruited. Maternal procalcitonin had a superior diagnostic accuracy of 99% compared to maternal TLC and maternal hs-CRP. Also, cord blood procalcitonin had a diagnostic accuracy of 95%. Conclusion: Procalcitonin in both maternal as well as cord blood is a promising biomarker to detect EONS with high diagnostic accuracy

Monophasic synovial sarcoma of tongue

Synovial sarcoma is a well defined morphologic entity extensively researched in literature. Synovial sarcoma displays a wide spectrum of clinical presentations and histologic appearances that may give rise to diagnostic dilemmas. One such unusual site in the head and neck area is the tongue. We report a case of monophasic synovial sarcoma of the tongue in a 22-year-old male. Microscopically, this tumor mimicked a poorly differentiated carcinoma which is more common at this site though the patient was young for this type of tumor. On immunohistochemistry, neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin, vimentin, calponin, CD99 and bcl2. Molecular studies - viz. reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction revealed a SYT-SSX translocation clinching the diagnosis. This paper highlights the immunohistochemistry profile and SYT-SSX translocation which helped arrive at an accurate diagnosis only because the index of suspicion for a monophasic synovial sarcoma is high

Synthesis, spectral characterization, and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of <i>O,O</i>′-alkanediyl <i>S</i>-(<i>N</i>-phthalimidomethyl) dithiophosphates and zinc bis(<i>O,O</i>′-alkanediyl) dithiophosphates

<p>The synthesis of novel dithiophosphate derivatives has been achieved. Two <i>O,O′</i>-alkanediyl <i>S</i>-(<i>N</i>-phthalimidomethyl) dithiophosphates and two Zinc bis(<i>O,O′</i>-alkanediyl) dithiophosphates are synthesized by an easy and facile chemical synthetic route. Zinc bis[<i>O,O′</i>-(2-methylpentane-2,4-diyl) dithiophosphate] <b>L¹</b>, Zinc bis[<i>O,O′</i>-(2-ethylhexane-1,3-diyl) dithiophosphate] <b>L²</b>, <i>O,O′</i>-(2-methylpentane-2,4-diyl) <i>S</i>-(<i>N</i>-phthalimidomethyl) dithiophosphate <b>L³</b> and <i>O,O′</i>-(2-ethylhexane-1,3-diyl) <i>S</i>-(<i>N</i>-phthalimidomethyl) dithiophosphate <b>L⁴</b> are synthesized from the respective ammonium salts. Compounds <b>L¹</b>, <b>L²</b>, <b>L³</b>, and <b>L⁴</b> are characterized by (CHN) elemental analysis, ESI mass, FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR techniques. The crystal structure of ammonium <i>O,O′</i>-(2-methylpentane-2,4-diyl) dithiophosphate is discussed. <b>L¹</b>, <b>L²</b>, <b>L³</b>, and <b>L⁴</b> were evaluated for antimicrobial activity. It was found that the phthalimide derivatives <b>L³</b> and <b>L⁴</b> showed much better antifungal potential against some species of fungus. The Zinc dithiophosphates <b>L¹</b> and <b>L²</b> showed good antibacterial activity against <i>Bacillus cereus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i>.</p