QoS evaluation of the WLAN IEEE 802.11e

Wireless networks have a variety of advantages making them very popular in various applications. As the use of wireless networks increases, so does the demand for better service in terms of less delay for voice and video traffic. In 1990 the IEEE 802.11 was defined as a wireless network standard, yet this standard lacks traffic differentiation techniques to provide time-efficient service. The Work Group "e" has been working on enhancing the service since end of 2002; currently it defined a draft that will be the future standard to enhance the service. This new standard will enhance the use of wireless networks in time sensitive applications such as videoconferencing and voice over the internet protocol (VoIP). This study evaluated and suggested enhancements for the service performance of the defined IEEE 802.11 e draft. It is essential to assess the performance of the draft, as it will be the baseline standard for all the IEEE 802.11 wireless network vendors. The results of this work show that legacy networks (networks without the IEEE 802.11e implementation) perform better than the IEEE 802.11e networks under single kind of traffic (either data, voice or video traffic). Considering such conclusions is critical for businesses-when making decisions to upgrade or forgo purchasing costly equipment. Improvement suggestions to the upcoming IEEE 802.11e were made based on simulation results to change the default value of some parameters to achieve better performance under mixed traffic. The simulation results also show that the IEEE 802.11e provides priority to voice and video over data traffic

Lateral column lengthening augmented by medial split tibialis posterior tendon advancement for the treatment of symptomatic flexible flatfeet

Background: Management of Idiopathic flexible pes planus (IFPP) is debatable. Surgery is rarely indicated for flexible flatfoot. The goal of the surgery should be always to treat symptomatic patients and not to alter the shape of the foot. There are numerous options for surgical treatment in children and adolescents including subtalar arthroereisis or osteotomy with or without soft tissue procedures.Methods: Between June 2013 to December 2017, twenty eight feet in sixteen patients (9 boys, 7 girls) were included in this study. Twelve cases were operated bilaterally, three in the right foot and one in the left side. The mean age of the patients was 8.36±1.704 years (6-12 years). Calcaneal lengthening osteotomy was done with an oscillating saw about 1.5 cm proximal to the calcaneocuboid joint. Usually, 8-10 mm autologous bone graft from iliac crest was sufficient and fixed by K wires. Half of the tibialis posterior tendon after splitting with a periosteal flap from the navicular was then advanced distally until clinical restoration of the medial arch was then performed.Results: Radiographic analysis revealed significant improvements in talo-first metatarsal, calcaneal pitch, talocalcaneal angles in lateral radiographs, and talo-first metatarsal and talonavicular coverage angles in AP radiographs. All patients were evaluated at final follow-up visits. Preoperative mean AOFAS score increased significantly from 64.04±8.867 (range: 50 to75) to 94.11±3.765 (90-100).Conclusions: It is concluded that Evans calcaneal lengthening osteotomy augmented by spilt tibialis posterior tendon advancement is an excellent procedure in the management of IFPP

Genetics of Allergic Asthma and Current Perspectives on Therapeutic Management

Globally, more than 300 million people are asthmatics and this number has been estimated to become 400 million by 2025. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition, which, although has no cure, is treatable in most patients. The most common structural alterations in asthmatic airways include thickening of the epithelial and sub epithelial layers, increased airway smooth muscle mass, and angiogenesis. Several genetically controlled factors greatly influence the predisposition and severity of allergic asthma. Twin studies have attributed as much as 75% of asthma susceptibility to heredity. Particularly, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have discovered several asthma and/or atopy susceptibility genes. Current treatment protocols for managing asthma involve the use of corticosteroids and β-agonists. Over the last 40 years, there has been a marked development-targeted therapy for asthma, such as anti-leukotrienes, anti-immunoglobulin (Ig)E, anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and anti-interleukins (ILs) (Th2 cytokines). To identify novel targets and to develop newer drug generations, better understanding of asthma molecular pathophysiology is required. Furthermore, the pharmacogenetic studies, focusing on better understanding of beneficial or/and adverse effects to anti-asthma drugs, will also facilitate the development of more effective and targeted treatments in specific subpopulations of patients suffering from asthma

New Frontiers in Cancer Chemotherapy — Targeting Cell Death Pathways

Cell death plays an important role in tumorigenesis, growth, and progression and affects the efficiency of chemotherapy to a great extent. Apoptosis is usually regarded as the principal mechanism of chemotherapy-induced cell death. However, the dysregulation of apoptosis occurs commonly in many cancers, which lowers the effectiveness of therapy and allows cells to survive. The mechanisms by which cells acquire this resistance to chemotherapy are not fully understood. Several studies uncovered alternative cell death pathways that are mechanistically distinct from apoptosis. These pathways, including autophagy and necrosis, represent potential targets for novel cancer treatment. By modulating the key regulatory molecules involved in the different types of cell death, more effective and less toxic chemotherapy might be developed. In this chapter, we describe the signaling pathways and the molecular events that are involved in these three major forms of programmed cell death. Additionally, we also discuss the emerging therapies targeting these cell death pathways as new strategies against cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer in men: A rare clinical case report and a literature review

Introduction and importance The initial misdiagnosis and delayed treatment for inflammatory breast cancer in men is brought about by its rarity and lack of readily available guidelines on pathways. Case presentation A 78-year-old male presented to the breast clinic with an abscess and was later diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. He presented with an abscess and was initially treated with antibiotics. Imaging showed a large left breast mass consistent with inflammatory carcinoma with axillary lymph node involvement. Patient was started on Tamoxifen as a bridge for surgery with no response. He eventually had a mastectomy and axillary clearance with the histology confirming the diagnosis and tumour emboli in the lymphatic vessels. Chemotherapy, radiation and dual hormone therapy were included in the adjuvant treatment plan. Two episodes of neutropenic sepsis led to completing only five out of six planned chemotherapy cycles. Clinical discussion A review of literature and the reported cases was done by the team to contribute to the little information published about the disease and its management. The presented to the breast clinic during the height of the SARS- CoV-2 pandemic. The global impact of SARS-CoV-19 made surgical teams find ways to lessen elective lists to give way for patients affected during the pandemic. Conclusion Very few cases of inflammatory breast cancer have been reported in men. The diagnosis can be missed leading to delay in management. Management can be challenging and complex

The use of latissimus dorsi mini-flap in partial breast reconstruction

Introduction: The cosmetic drawbacks of breast conserving surgery are asymmetry, nipple or skin retraction, and volume loss with unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome. The principle of Latissimus dorsi mini-flap (LDMF) is to use part of the Latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle as volume replacement to large breast defect up to 20 -30 % of the breast volume. Purpose: To evaluate (LDMF) as a volume replacement to large breast defect after wide local excision in different breast quadrants and the benefit of using this procedure regarding the cosmetic outcomes, patient satisfaction, procedure-related complications. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt, from September 2017 to December 2018. Fifteen patients were selected. Wide local excision with post-resection defects of 20%-30% of breast volume were done. An inferolateral incision was done for both tumor resection and LDMF harvesting without any back scar. The patients were scheduled for regular follow up. Results: All the resection margins were negative. Mean Operative time was 176.6 minutes, the mean hospital stay was 2.47 days. The mean score for sensory preservation was 7.66. The mean of visual analogue score VAS was 8.33 with a score range from 8 to 9. The mean of the surgeon evaluation was 8.53. The median ranged from 8 to 9. Conclusion: LDMF makes BCS possible to a group of patients who are classically required mastectomy. It is particularly benefical to patients that responds poorly to neoadjuvant chemotherapy or with wide spreading DCIS