Survey on Data-Centric based Routing Protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks

The great concern for energy that grew with the technological advances in the field of networks and especially in sensor network has triggered various approaches and protocols that relate to sensor networks. In this context, the routing protocols were of great interest. The aim of the present paper is to discuss routing protocols for sensor networks. This paper will focus mainly on the discussion of the data-centric approach (COUGAR, rumor, SPIN, flooding and Gossiping), while shedding light on the other approaches occasionally. The functions of the nodes will be discussed as well. The methodology selected for this paper is based on a close description and discussion of the protocol. As a conclusion, open research questions and limitations are proposed to the reader at the end of this paper

Predictors of Hypersensitivity Reactions to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in a Tertiary Hospital in Oman: A case-control study

Objectives: Platinum-based compounds (PBC) play an important role in cancer therapy. However, one of the drawbacks of PBC is the occasional occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) which can lead to serious consequences. The aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence and evaluate risk factors of HSR to PBC in cancer patients. Methods: A case-control study of patients who received any PBC for the management of non-haematological cancers from 2013 to 2020 at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman. Data regarding demographic features and diseases and treatment details were collected from the hospital’s electronic patients record. We quantitatively described the data, and Student’s t-test and Wilcoxon Man-Whittney tests were used to detect significant differences. Results: A total of 38 cases and 148 matched controls were studied. The prevalence of HSR to PBC in our cohort was 4.7% (95% confidence interval: 3.33%-6.37%), more with carboplatin compared to cisplatin and oxaliplatin. In our study, female gender (p=0.032), concomitant taxanes (p=0.002) and concurrent radiation (p<0.001) were significant predictors of HSR to PBC. The majority of reactions were of mild to moderate severity and the rechallenge rate after HSR development was 13%. Conclusion: HSR to PBC impact therapy decisions and understanding the risk factors are important to improve treatment outcomes in cancer patients. Keywords: Hypersensitivity; Platinum; Anti-neoplastic; Oncology; Oman

Skin Lipoma in an Arabian Leopard (Panthera paradus nimr) Acta Scientiae Veterinariae

ABSTRACT Background: The Arabian leopard (Panthera paradus nimr) is the largest living felid in the arid Arabian Peninsula and classifi ed on the IUCN red list as critically endangered. Unlike felids, neoplasia prevalence in canids such as benign lipoma and malignant liposarcoma has been long and well documented. Only until recently a plethora of reports emerged demonstrating that neoplasia occurrence in wild exotic felids is prevailed more than expected. Soft tissue tumors arise from fatty cells form either a benign lipoma or a dangerously malignant liposarcoma. Alarming though, such cellular transformation might endanger the life of an already endangered animal. Case: An intact Arabian male leopard living in captivity at the Oman wildlife animal breeding center (N23.70 E58.09 A5.80 m) aged approximately 18 years and weight 31 kg was admitted to the veterinary clinic for semen collection and routine physical examination. The animal was identifi ed with two large adjacent subcutaneous masses on the upper rear left limb, clinically resembling that of a lipomatosis. Only one large tissue mass was surgically excised from the base with no incident of bleeding. Gross examination revealed a soft, smooth, rubbery, homogeneous, lack of internal fl uid and whitish color lobule. Morphometry measurement of the mass shows that the weight, diameter, circumference, thickness and surface area were 3.6 gm, 2.6 cm, 10.2 cm, 3 cm and 17.8 cm 3 respectively. On visual examination, neither mucin fl uid nor mucosal ulcerations were detected. Microscopically, dark discrete spots were observed on the anterior central and periphery of the mass surface outgrowth. Moreover, histopathological diagnoses with haematoxylin and eosin (HE), masson fontana (MF) and elastic verrhof van giesson (EVG) revealed normal nuclear and non-granular cytoplasm resembling that of a fatty cell originating from a fat adipose tissue. Adipocytes had reasonable amounts of cytoplasm and well defi ned borders. The nuclei were round to oval shape and no cells were found to be multinucleated. No evidence of high nuclear cytoplasmic ratio was observed. Few lymphocytes and plasma cells were present with no visible lymphatic vessels. Taken together, the lesion was diagnosed as a lobulated soft mass resembling that of an adipose tissue, specifi cally a benign neoplastic lipoma. Discussion: To date not a single report describes maladies in big cats from arid regions. This is the fi rst study to demonstrate the occurrence of neoplasia in a wild felid namely; the Arabian leopard. Additionally, while recent reports have shown neoplasia occurrence in the Panthera subspecies in tropical, polar and temperate zones, this is the fi rst report to manifest the disease in an arid region. The increase in neoplasm frequency in exotic felids is a concerning fact as numerous members of the Panthera family including the Arabian leopard are classifi ed by the IUCN as endangered or critically endangered species. With less than 200 animals in the wild, only 14 founder individuals in captivity and an aged female population the occurrence of lipoma tumors in the Arabian leopard is a worrisome sign. Taken together, the data suggests the rise of uncommon diseases in carnivores and ubiquitously around different climate zones of the world. Thus highlights the importance of routine physical examinations, investing substantially in diagnostic equipment and healthcare endowment in captive exotic felids