Magnesium Status in Hospitalized ICCU and non ICCU Patients With Special Reference to Waterborne Magnesium

Introduction: Low serum magnesium levels in hospitalized patients including those with cardiovascular ailments have been reported by many studies. On the other hand, magnesium therapy is advocated but has not yet been conclusively proved. In our earlier study, an association between waterborne magnesium and hypomagnesaemia in healthy subjects was reported. The present study was aimed at the contribution of waterborne magnesium among filtered and non-filtered water users in hospitalized patients. Material and methods: The present study was carried out at SMIMER, Surat. Ethical committee approval was taken. On informed consent, subjects from ICCU and general ward of Medicine unit were selected. Demographic and clinical information was collected. Serum magnesium, cardiac profile and renal profile were analyzed. Patients with conditions such as kidney, liver, brain and other critical illness were excluded. The results were expressed as Mean and SD and appropriate statistical tools were applied to arrive at conclusions.  Results: Among total 557 subjects including 185 healthy subjects, 93 ICCU and 279 non-ICCU patients, the incidence of hypomagnesaemia (serum Mg < 1.7 mg/dl) was 18%, 36% and 42% was observed respectively. A significant difference (p < 0.01) in serum magnesium between filtered and non-filtered water users in healthy (1.77 ±0.36 vs 2.01 ±0.48), ICCU  (1.35 ±0.44 vs 1.72±0.55), and in non-ICCU patients (1.51 ±0.59 vs 1.77±0.51) was found. No significant difference was observed in other parameters. Conclusion: Significant hypomagnesaemia was observed among users of filtered water as compared to nonfiltered water users in all groups (ICCU, non-ICCU and healthy), strongly suggestive of contribution of waterborne magnesium in maintaining normal status in the population and inadequate levels may be correlated to a higher incidence of myocardial infarction as evident from the present study wherein a 42% prevalence of hypomagnesaemia in ICCU patients was found.&nbsp

Magnesium Status in Hospitalized ICCU and non ICCU Patients With Special Reference to Waterborne Magnesium

Introduction: Low serum magnesium levels in hospitalized patients including those with cardiovascular ailments have been reported by many studies. On the other hand, magnesium therapy is advocated but has not yet been conclusively proved. In our earlier study, an association between waterborne magnesium and hypomagnesaemia in healthy subjects was reported. The present study was aimed at the contribution of waterborne magnesium among filtered and non-filtered water users in hospitalized patients. Material and methods: The present study was carried out at SMIMER, Surat. Ethical committee approval was taken. On informed consent, subjects from ICCU and general ward of Medicine unit were selected. Demographic and clinical information was collected. Serum magnesium, cardiac profile and renal profile were analyzed. Patients with conditions such as kidney, liver, brain and other critical illness were excluded. The results were expressed as Mean and SD and appropriate statistical tools were applied to arrive at conclusions.  Results: Among total 557 subjects including 185 healthy subjects, 93 ICCU and 279 non-ICCU patients, the incidence of hypomagnesaemia (serum Mg < 1.7 mg/dl) was 18%, 36% and 42% was observed respectively. A significant difference (p < 0.01) in serum magnesium between filtered and non-filtered water users in healthy (1.77 ±0.36 vs 2.01 ±0.48), ICCU  (1.35 ±0.44 vs 1.72±0.55), and in non-ICCU patients (1.51 ±0.59 vs 1.77±0.51) was found. No significant difference was observed in other parameters. Conclusion: Significant hypomagnesaemia was observed among users of filtered water as compared to nonfiltered water users in all groups (ICCU, non-ICCU and healthy), strongly suggestive of contribution of waterborne magnesium in maintaining normal status in the population and inadequate levels may be correlated to a higher incidence of myocardial infarction as evident from the present study wherein a 42% prevalence of hypomagnesaemia in ICCU patients was found.&nbsp

Case Report - Unusual metastasis in colorectal cancer

Metastasis from colorectal carcinoma occurs by either lymphatic or hematogenous spread. The most common sites of colorectal metastasis are the liver and lung. Involvement of the skin, muscles and bones are quite rare. The prognosis in such patients is usually poor. Herewith, we are reporting a case of colonic carcinoma who had cutaneous metastasis, muscular involvement and diffuse skeletal metastasis. At the end, she had brain metastasis, but liver and lung involvement was not observed till the end

Social learning against data falsification in sensor networks

Sensor networks generate large amounts of geographically-distributed data. The conventional approach to exploit this data is to first gather it in a special node that then performs processing and inference. However, what happens if this node is destroyed, or even worst, if it is hijacked? To explore this problem, in this work we consider a smart attacker who can take control of critical nodes within the network and use them to inject false information. In order to face this critical security thread, we propose a novel scheme that enables data aggregation and decision-making over networks based on social learning, where the sensor nodes act resembling how agents make decisions in social networks. Our results suggest that social learning enables high network resilience, even when a significant portion of the nodes have been compromised by the attacker

The Photometric LSST Astronomical Time-series Classification Challenge PLAsTiCC: Selection of a Performance Metric for Classification Probabilities Balancing Diverse Science Goals

Classification of transient and variable light curves is an essential step in using astronomical observations to develop an understanding of the underlying physical processes from which they arise. However, upcoming deep photometric surveys, including the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), will produce a deluge of low signal-to-noise data for which traditional type estimation procedures are inappropriate. Probabilistic classification is more appropriate for such data but is incompatible with the traditional metrics used on deterministic classifications. Furthermore, large survey collaborations like LSST intend to use the resulting classification probabilities for diverse science objectives, indicating a need for a metric that balances a variety of goals. We describe the process used to develop an optimal performance metric for an open classification challenge that seeks to identify probabilistic classifiers that can serve many scientific interests. The Photometric LSST Astronomical Time-series Classification Challenge (PLAsTiCC) aims to identify promising techniques for obtaining classification probabilities of transient and variable objects by engaging a broader community beyond astronomy. Using mock classification probability submissions emulating realistically complex archetypes of those anticipated of PLAsTiCC, we compare the sensitivity of two metrics of classification probabilities under various weighting schemes, finding that both yield results that are qualitatively consistent with intuitive notions of classification performance. We thus choose as a metric for PLAsTiCC a weighted modification of the cross-entropy because it can be meaningfully interpreted in terms of information content. Finally, we propose extensions of our methodology to ever more complex challenge goals and suggest some guiding principles for approaching the choice of a metric of probabilistic data products

Influence of selective caries excavation on marginal penetration of class II composite restorations in vitro

Selective caries excavation may support pulp preservation. This in vitro study investigated the influence of selective removal of demineralized dentin on marginal integrity of composite restorations as determined by dye penetration. Dentinal caries-like lesions were produced in the approximal surfaces of 40 extracted human molars (ethylenediaminetetraacetate, 0.5 M, 96 h). The following test procedures were established: complete excavation, selective excavation, and caries-free control. Two class II cavities with enamel at the cervical margins were prepared per tooth and demineralization volume was determined by micro-computed tomography for the purpose of a stratified distribution to receive complete excavation or selective excavation. After complete or selective excavation (30 cavities each), adhesive composite restorations were placed. Cavities without demineralized dentin (20 cavities) served as control. The marginal integrity of restorations was evaluated by dye penetration with and without thermocycling or mechanical loading. Results were analyzed by non-parametrical statistical tests (Mann-WhitneyUTest) with an alpha = 0.05 level of significance. Dye penetration did not differ significantly among completely excavated, selectively excavated, or undemineralized teeth, but was increased by thermocycling and mechanical loading in all experimental groups. Selective caries removal did not increase marginal penetration in class II restorations. The presence of remaining demineralized dentin surrounded by sound dentin did not impair marginal integrity of restorations with margins placed in sound enamel