A Rate-Distortion Approach to Index Coding

We approach index coding as a special case of rate-distortion with multiple receivers, each with some side information about the source. Specifically, using techniques developed for the rate-distortion problem, we provide two upper bounds and one lower bound on the optimal index coding rate. The upper bounds involve specific choices of the auxiliary random variables in the best existing scheme for the rate-distortion problem. The lower bound is based on a new lower bound for the general rate-distortion problem. The bounds are shown to coincide for a number of (groupcast) index coding instances, including all instances for which the number of decoders does not exceed three.Comment: Substantially extended version. Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Information Theor

Explaining the decline in coronary heart disease mortality in Turkey between 1995 and 2008.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates have been decreasing in Turkey since the early 1990s. Our study aimed to determine how much of the CHD mortality decrease in Turkey between 1995 and 2008 could be attributed to temporal trends in major risk factors and how much to advances in medical and surgical treatments. METHODS: The validated IMPACT CHD mortality model was used to combine and analyse data on uptake and effectiveness of CHD treatments and risk factor trends in Turkey in adults aged 35-84 years between 1995 and 2008.Data sources were identified, searched and appraised on population, mortality and major CHD risk factors for adults those aged 35-84 years. Official statistics, electronic databases, national registers, surveys and published trials were screened from 1995 onwards. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2008, coronary heart disease mortality rates in Turkey decreased by 34% in men and 28% in women 35 years and over. This resulted in 35,720 fewer deaths in 2008.Approximately 47% of this mortality decrease was attributed to treatments in individuals (including approximately 16% to secondary prevention, 3% angina treatments, 9% to heart failure treatments, 5% to initial treatments of acute myocardial infarction, and 5% to hypertension treatments) and approximately 42% was attributable to population risk factor reductions (notably blood pressure 29%; smoking 27%; and cholesterol 1%). Adverse trends were seen for obesity and diabetes (potentially increasing mortality by approximately 11% and 14% respectively). The model explained almost 90% of the mortality fall. CONCLUSION: Reduction in major cardiovascular risk factors explained approximately 42% and improvements in medical and surgical treatments explained some 47% of the CHD mortality fall. These findings emphasize the complimentary value of primary prevention and evidence-based medical treatments in controlling coronary heart disease

Contrasting cardiovascular mortality trends in Eastern Mediterranean populations: contributions from risk factor changes and treatments

Background Middle income countries are facing an epidemic of non-communicable diseases, especially coronary heart disease (CHD). We used a validated CHD mortality model (IMPACT) to explain recent trends in Tunisia, Syria, the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and Turkey. Methods Data on populations, mortality, patient numbers, treatments and risk factor trends from national and local surveys in each country were collated over two time points (1995–97; 2006–09); integrated and analysed using the IMPACT model. Results Risk factor trends: Smoking prevalence was high in men, persisting in Syria but decreasing in Tunisia, oPt and Turkey. BMI rose by 1–2 kg/m2 and diabetes prevalence increased by 40%–50%. Mean systolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels increased in Tunisia and Syria. Mortality trends: Age-standardised CHD mortality rates rose by 20% in Tunisia and 62% in Syria. Much of this increase (79% and 72% respectively) was attributed to adverse trends in major risk factors, occurring despite some improvements in treatment uptake. CHD mortality rates fell by 17% in oPt and by 25% in Turkey, with risk factor changes accounting for around 46% and 30% of this reduction respectively. Increased uptake of community treatments (drug treatments for chronic angina, heart failure, hypertension and secondary prevention after a cardiac event) accounted for most of the remainder. Discussion CHD death rates are rising in Tunisia and Syria, whilst oPt and Turkey demonstrate clear falls, reflecting improvements in major risk factors with contributions from medical treatments. However, smoking prevalence remains very high in men; obesity and diabetes levels are rising dramatically

Hypertrichosis: The Possible Side Effect Of Cyclosporin In An Infant With Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Receiving Hlh-2004 Chemotherapy Protocol

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a life-threatening condition of severe hyperinflammation that results from an uncontrolled proliferation of activated lymphocytes and histiocytes secreting high amounts of inflammatory cytokines. The immediate treatment strategies include immune suppressive therapy such as corticosteroid, etoposide and cyclosporin A. Herein, we present a 13-month-old infant who developed severe hypertrichosis after the administration of HLH-2004 treatment protocol. We discuss the various hypotheses regarding the causal relationship between cyclosporin A and hypertrichosis, emphasizing the importance of patient follow up. (Turk J Hematol 2009; 26: 154-6)Wo

Extended-focused Ultrasonography for Children with High-energy Trauma

WOS: 000493179100010Aim: Ultrasonography (USG) is an important tool used in the diagnosis of critical patients. The present study was carried out in order to detect intra-peritoneal free liquid in cases with high-energy trauma by using "extended-focused trauma (E-FAST) USG" and to determine the diagnostic power and benefits of this method. Materials and Methods: The medical records of pediatric cases with high-energy trauma were examined retrospectively. The results of computed tomography (CT) and radiologist-operated abdominal (Rad) USG and the demographic data of patients were compared with the results obtained from E-FAST-USG performed by a pediatric emergency specialist. Chi-square test was used to compare the categorical measurements among the groups. Results: One hundred and sixty patients were observed during the study period. When E-FAST-USG was compared to Rad-USG, the accuracy rate of E-FAST-USG was found to be 97.5%, sensitivity to be 90.9%, and specificity to be 98%. Forty-one of the patients were examined using CT. The sensitivity of Rad-USG was found to be 64.6% and specificity to be 933%, whereas the sensitivity of FAST-USG was found to be 81.8% and specificity to be 93.3%. Conclusion: FAST-USG can be used in pediatric trauma cases at high sensitivity-specificity levels, and the radiation exposure of CT, which is a major consideration during childhood, can be reduced