Management of Calcium, Vitamin D, and Uric-Acid Levels for Spinal Pain

Low back pain is incredibly painful and demoralizing due to the physical restrictions it causes as well as the psychological ramifications it brings. The calcium and alkaline phosphatase were favorably connected with vitamin D. The issue of low back discomfort presents a difficulty to healthcare practitioners. In developing nations, the problem is exacerbated by a failure to report for early treatment, vocational compulsions in rural regions, and sedentary lifestyles among urban youngsters 1. In Pakistan, there was a significant incidence of vitamin D insufficiency, with 53.5 percent of residents studied being vitamin D deficient, 31.2 percent being inadequate vitamin D, and just 15.3 percent having normal vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) levels. High levels of Vitamin D insufficiency were also seen, regardless of the various quantities of sunlight in the five city sites 2. In observational studies, consumption of carbonated beverages has been linked to an increased risk of fracture. The most common reason is that one or more of the beverage ingredients raise urine calcium. 3 There is a role of optimized levels of calcium, vitamin D & uric Acid in order to treat patients with low backaches. 1,4 The over intake of carbonated caffeine drinks and artificial fruit juices adversely impacts the proper absorption of vitamin D and calcium. Hence, good doses of supplements of Vitamin D and Calcium should be optimized for patients reporting muscles and joint pains.  Severe back pain and lower extremities weaknesses have been reported in altered levels of vitamin D and uric acid. 5 We strongly recommend early and regular screening for vitamin D, Calcium, and uric acid as part of a comprehensive health assessment for low back pain

Neurosurgery with Artificial Intelligence

The safety and efficacy of surgery are the surgeon’s priority. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with learning algorithms based on millions of patients’ records, the outcomes can be predicted following different types of surgeries. 1 According to the Journal of the American Medical Association by the Neurosurgical Simulation and Artificial Intelligence Learning Centre at The Neuro, McGill University, AI can enhance technical performance and learning outcomes during simulated brain tumor removal. 2 According to a study published in Nature partner journal Digital Medicine, an open-source smartphone app for meningioma has allowed surgeons and physicians to interactively with patients. The app helps doctors and brain tumor patients predict survival and help make better treatment decisions. Researchers have also created a machine-learning system to categorize tissue using a deep convolutional neural network (CNN).3 New research also showed that machine learning can diagnose brain tumors at a fraction of the time it takes human pathologists. The new method streamlined the practice of analyzing tissue samples while the patient is still on the operating table. As per new findings in Nature Medicine, the new AI system can accurately diagnose a brain tumor in two minutes4. We should place a high value on research based on anticipating neuropathologies, surgical outcomes, and choosing neurosurgical techniques in advance

COVID-19 Vaccination in Neurosurgeons

In a letter to President-Elect Josephs R. Biden on January 19, 2021, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) emphasized the significance of COVID-19 immunization for neurosurgeons in order to reach the worldwide objective of vaccination. In a report, only one death is reported from 264,00,000 vaccinated people. In negative-vaccinated individuals, the death rate is 2-3% in younger adults, whereas 7-10% is reported in older people. COVID-19 was reported in less severity in those who were positive-vaccinated. According to a latest survey, 60% of Pakistani neurosurgeons were COVID-19 positive, mostly from the hospital environment. High level of acceptance and motivation is found in our neurosurgeons. 91% of our neurosurgeons have been vaccinated. Mostly received the SinoPharm and Oxford AstraZeneca

Outcome of Manual Traction in Patients with Cervicogenic Dizziness and Neck Pain

Objective:  Symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness include instability, unsteadiness, confusion, neck soreness, and limited cervical range of motion (ROM). We evaluated the outcome of manual traction in patients presenting with dizziness and neck pain. Materials and Methods:   50 patients included who had dizziness and neck pain with a reduced range of cervical motion. Patients had sessions of manual traction after pre-treatment evaluation. Patients included in the study after history and physical examination were sent to the otorhinology department to rule out the vestibular cause of dizziness.  Patients were sent to the Physiotherapy department for manual traction. Pain and dizziness were assessed from VAS and DHI scores. Results:  There were 28 male and 22 female patients. The mean age of the patients was 23.92 ± 11.39 years. The mean VAS scores (dizziness) were 46, 31, and 14 before treatment, at one week, and at one month, respectively. The mean VAS scores (pain) were 40, 21, and 8 before treatment, at one week, and at one month, respectively. The mean DHI scores (for dizziness disability) were 47.5, 34, and 21, at one week and at one month, respectively. There existed a significant difference (p < 0.00001) between the VAS and DHI scores before the treatment and post-treatment of follow-up at one week and at one month. Conclusion:  Patients with cervicogenic dizziness who were treated with manual traction improved considerably in terms of dizziness severity, pain relief, and a low score on the dizziness handicap index, indicating better psychological and functional well-being. Keywords:  Cervicogenic Dizziness (CGD), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Manual Traction Protocol

Drivers of food waste reduction behaviour in the household context

Studies on the drivers of household consumer engagement in various food waste reduction strategies have been limited. We thus address this gap by developing a research model that utilises two well-known theories, namely, the Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour (TIB) and the Comprehensive Model of Environmental Psychology (CMEP), to explain food waste reduction behaviour in household consumers. The model hypothesises positive associations between emotional, social, and cognitive factors and food waste reduction behaviour, as conceptualised using the 3Rs (reuse, reduce, and recycle). A total of 515 U.S. household consumers participated in the cross-sectional survey. The results suggest that emotional (anticipated guilt), social (sense of community), and cognitive factors (awareness about consequences and environmental knowledge) were positively associated with food waste reduction behaviour. However, the study results did not support the association between a sense of community and reuse intentions. Moreover, anticipated guilt and awareness of consequences were significant drivers of the reuse and reduce food waste behaviours, respectively. The age of the study participants also had a significant controlling influence on the reduce intentions. The study findings have significant implications for governments, policymakers, marketers, and academics that are interested in developing strategies to mitigate the impact of food waste.publishedVersio

Drivers of food waste reduction behaviour in the household context

Studies on the drivers of household consumer engagement in various food waste reduction strategies have been limited. We thus address this gap by developing a research model that utilises two well-known theories, namely, the Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour (TIB) and the Comprehensive Model of Environmental Psychology (CMEP), to explain food waste reduction behaviour in household consumers. The model hypothesises positive associations between emotional, social, and cognitive factors and food waste reduction behaviour, as conceptualised using the 3Rs (reuse, reduce, and recycle). A total of 515 U.S. household consumers participated in the cross-sectional survey. The results suggest that emotional (anticipated guilt), social (sense of community), and cognitive factors (awareness about consequences and environmental knowledge) were positively associated with food waste reduction behaviour. However, the study results did not support the association between a sense of community and reuse intentions. Moreover, anticipated guilt and awareness of consequences were significant drivers of the reuse and reduce food waste behaviours, respectively. The age of the study participants also had a significant controlling influence on the reduce intentions. The study findings have significant implications for governments, policymakers, marketers, and academics that are interested in developing strategies to mitigate the impact of food waste.publishedVersio

Backpropagation algorithm for classification problem: academic performance prediction model for UiTM Melaka Mengubah Destini Anak Bangsa (MDAB) program. / Fadhlina Izzah Saman, Nurulhuda Zainuddin and Khairiyah Md Shahid

Artificial neural networks (ANN) has become one of the artificial intelligent techniques that has many successful examples when applied to classification problem such as doing pattern recognition and prediction. Multilayer perceptrons (MLPs) is one of the topology used for processing ANN, while backpropagation algorithm is one of the most popular methods in training MLPs. UiTM Melaka has set one of the Quality Objectives to be achieved for each faculty is to produce at least 65% of full time students graduating with a CGPA of at least 3.00. There is no existing tool to assist faculties in estimating the number of students that can achieve the objective, hence a prediction model using Backpropagation Algorithm is proposed by using a case study of UiTM Bandaraya Melaka Bachelor of Administrative Science students. The initial model will analyze a trend of past students' achievement upon graduation based on factors such as diploma CGPA and 15 core subjects' results, and after a series of experiments, a final model will be obtained with the best parameters to produce the best results. The final model then will produce an output in the form of prediction for current students' graduation CGPA. The output can be used to identify potentially good and weak students, and for the faculty to arrange the teaching and learning session according to students' capabilities in order to produce students with a CGPA of at least 3.00 upon graduation

Leukocytosis: Predictor of Radiological and Neurological Outcome of Patients of Traumatic Brain Injury Presented to Jinnah Hospital, Lahore

Background/Objective: Catecholamines and cortisol cause raised TLC (total leukocyte count) and brain inflammation after injury. We found out that weather leukocytosis is predictive for radiological and neurological outcome in patientswith TBI presenting to JHL.Materials and Methods: Blood samples of patients (n = 100) were collected on presentation in the emergency room, after 72 hours and on the 5th day for TLC count.CT Brain was obtained on presentation in emergency, after 72 hours and on the 5th day. The progression of imaging findings on CT scan were assessed and compared with TLC count. The outcome of these patients was assessed according to the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale.Results: TLC after TBI is raised initially and then it declined afterwards in mild and moderate TBI, but remained on the upper limit in moderate TBI. In severe TBI, TLC was raised initially and then it progressed to higher limits afterwards.These results showed that there is a strong relation between TLC and TBI.Regarding the association between radiological assessment and severity of injury along with raised TLC, it was observed that the patients having EDH had raised TLC along with expansion of hematoma, while patients with contusions, T-SAH (traumatic sub-dural hematoma) SDH had TLC on upper limit, but there was no significant resolution of radiological severityConclusion: WBC count can be used as a predictor of radiological outcome, as it was found that patients with severe head injury had raised TLC. TLC count can be used to assess the severity of injury and prognosis