Performance Analysis of an Aperture-Coupled THz Antenna for Diagnosing Breast Cancer.

The most important technique for exposing early-stage breast cancer is terahertz imaging. It aids in lowering the number of breast cancer-related fatalities and enhancing the quality of life. An essential component of developing the THz imaging system for high-quality photos is choosing the right sensor. In this article, a wideband antenna for microwave imaging of breast tissue with an operating frequency of 30 GHz (107 GHz to 137 GHz) is constructed and analyzed. An aperture-coupled antenna with an optimized ground aperture is proposed and analyzed, which made it possible to obtain better and consistent impedance matching in the wideband spectrum. The variation of backscattered signal energy in body tissue is assessed with healthy breast tissue and in the presence of malignant cells. A significant difference in energy scattering is observed for both situations. The suggested antenna's linear and stable time domain characteristics make it an appropriate component for THz imaging technology.

Validation of Simplified Indian Diabetes Risk Score for Screening Undiagnosed Diabetes in an Urban Setting of Haryana.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Identification of at risk individuals using simple screening tools like Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) and appropriate life style interventions could greatly help in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes and thus reducing the burden of disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 450 individuals >20 years who consented to participate were selected randomly from three anganwadis of urban area of Rohtak city. Demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements such as weight, height and waist circumference were taken. BMI was calculated. IDRS developed by Mohan et al. was applied for categorizing the individuals as high risk, moderate risk and low risk. World Health Organization (WHO) criterion of fasting blood glucose 126mg/dl was used for diagnosing diabetes. OBSERVATION AND RESULTS: 54% of individuals were categorized as high risk followed by 37.6% as moderate risk as per IDRS risk score. Prevalence of diabetes was more in !50 years age group (28.6%) as compared to 35-49 years (14.2%) and 20-35 years age group (6.0%). Individuals with no physical activity had significantly high prevalence of diabetes as compared to mild or moderate physical activity (P 0.004). Similarly, males with waist circumference 100 cm and females with 90 cm had significantly high prevalence of diabetes (P 0.000 and P 0.005). On multiple logistic regression analysis age, family history of diabetes and BMI were independent predictors of diabetes. CONCLUSION: Diabetes is a rising epidemic. Early screening and appropriate interventions at the start are needed for control of disease and risk factor modifications.

Clinical and laboratory profile of patients with presumptive clinical diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis and its short-term complications.

Background: Worldwide, one million cases of bacterial meningitis are estimated to occur and 200,000 of them die annually. Case fatality rates vary with age at the time of illness and the species of bacterium causing infection. In view of variable clinical features and complication rates in various studies, the present study was planned to assess the clinical and laboratory profile of patients with acute bacterial meningitis and analyze the therapeutic response and short-term sequelae. Materials: This study was conducted in the department of pediatrics at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak. A total of 50 pediatric patients with signs and symptoms of acute bacterial meningitis who satisfied the inclusion or selection criteria were enrolled in the study. Appropriate statistical tests were applied for analysis and trial registry was done with PGIMS. Results: In the present study, slightly more males (54%) were found than females (46%). The sequelae and mortality were 33.3%, 26.1% and 7.4%, 8.7% in males and females, respectively. There were higher chances of sequelae or mortality in males as compared to females (OR 1.289, 95% CI 0.073-6.11, P > 0.05). Predominant cells were polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells except in >120 months age group where both PMN (50%) and mononuclear (50%) cells were equally visualized. Mean CSF protein was slightly higher in 2-24 months age group. Conclusion: We compared the group with sequelae with the group with no sequelae and found neurological deficit (P < 0.01), and presence of complications (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with sequelae.

A stepwise, 'test-all-positives' methodology to assess gluten-kernel contamination at the serving-size level in gluten-free (GF) oat production.

A step-wise, 'test-all-positive-gluten' analytical methodology has been developed and verified to assess kernel-based gluten contamination (i.e., wheat, barley and rye kernels) during gluten-free (GF) oat production. It targets GF claim compliance at the serving-size level (of a pouch or approximately 40-50g). Oat groats are collected from GF oat production following a robust attribute-based sampling plan then split into 75-g subsamples, and ground. R-Biopharm R5 sandwich ELISA R7001 is used for analysis of all the first15-g portions of the ground sample. A >20-ppm result disqualifies the production lot, while a >5 to <20-ppm result triggers complete analysis of the remaining 60-g of ground sample, analyzed in 15-g portions. If all five 15-g test results are <20ppm, and their average is <10.67ppm (since a 20-ppm contaminant in 40g of oats would dilute to 10.67ppm in 75-g), the lot is passed.

Validation of simplified Indian Diabetes Risk Score for screening undiagnosed diabetes in an urban setting of Haryana.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Identification of at risk individuals using simple screening tools like Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) and appropriate life style interventions could greatly help in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes and thus reducing the burden of disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 450 individuals >20years who consented to participate were selected randomly from three anganwadis of urban area of Rohtak city. Demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements such as weight, height and waist circumference were taken. BMI was calculated. IDRS developed by Mohan et al. was applied for categorizing the individuals as high risk, moderate risk and low risk. World Health Organization (WHO) criterion of fasting blood glucose ≥126mg/dl was used for diagnosing diabetes. RESULTS: 54% of individuals were categorized as high risk followed by 37.6% as moderate risk as per IDRS risk score. Prevalence of diabetes was more in ≥50years age group (28.6%) as compared to 35-49 years (14.2%) and 20-35 years age group (6.0%). Individuals with no physical activity had significantly high prevalence of diabetes as compared to mild or moderate physical activity (P 0.004). Similarly, males with waist circumference ≥100cm and females with ≥90cm had significantly high prevalence of diabetes (P 0.000 and P 0.005). On multiple logistic regression analysis age, family history of diabetes and BMI were independent predictors of diabetes. CONCLUSION: Diabetes is a rising epidemic. Early screening and appropriate interventions at the start are needed for control of disease and risk factor modifications.

A case of massive broad ligament leiomyoma imitating an ovarian tumour.

Leiomyomas are the most common benign tumours of female reproductive system which occur in women of child- bearing ages. Large fibroids are known to arise from uterus, but rarely from broad ligament. An unusual clinical presentation of a massive, broad ligament fibroid which measured 25 cm x 22 cm x 21 cm, and imitated an ovarian tumour because of its myxoid and cystic degenerations, has been described.

Tuberculosis vaccine: time to look into future.

Global burden of tuberculosis is nearly 12 million. As per the WHO Global TB Report 2013, there were an estimated 8.6 million incident cases of TB globally in 2012. Tuberculosis is an issue that affects development through its effect on the health of individuals and families. In humans, neither prior latent infection nor recovery from active TB confers reliable protection against reinfection or reactivation disease. The power of vaccines as a public health intervention lies in their ability to reduce onward transmission of disease as much as in their ability to protect vaccinated individuals; a feature generally referred to as "herd immunity." MVA85A is a booster vaccine, used in con-junction with BCG as part of a prime-boost strategy. BCG serves as the prime vaccination and MVA85A as the boost, operating under the theory that the addition of MVA85A will produce a better immune response and more protection against TB than BCG vaccination alone. There is a critical need to raise the profile of TB vaccine research at the community, national, regional, and global levels in order to generate support and political will, increase investment, create an enabling and supportive environment for clinical trials, and lay the groundwork for acceptance and adoption of new TB vaccines once licensed.

Clinico-pathological Study of Space Occupying Lesions of Nasal Cavity, Paranasal Sinuses and Nasopharynx.

BACKGROUND: A variety of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx are commonly encountered in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to study clinical and histopathological profile of space occupying lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx in a tertiary care hospital of Rajasthan over the period of January 2013 to January 2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of 147 cases (male 100, female 47; age group ranging from less than 1 y to 76 y) of space occupying lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx over the period of 12 months (from January 2013 to January 2014). All tissues after fixation in 10% buffered formalin, processed and then stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin to study various histopathological patterns. RESULTS: These 147 cases were broadly categorized in two categories, one category as nasal and paranasal sinus masses and the other as nasopharyngeal masses with 91 and 56 cases, respectively. These lesions were common in second and third decades of life with male predominance. Among nasal and paranasal sinus masses, there were 67 (73.6%) non-neoplastic and 24 (26.4%) neoplastic lesions. Inflammatory polyps (89.5%) were the most common among the non-neoplastic masses; Inverted papilloma (45.46%) the most common among the benign neoplastic and squamous cell carcinoma (46.15%) was the commonest out of all malignant masses. Out of 56 nasopharyngeal masses, there were 53 (94.6%) non neoplastic and 3 (5.4%) neoplastic lesions. Majority of these i.e. 52 cases were of adenotonsillar hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: We concluded that complete clinical, radiological and histopathological correlation helps us to categorize these sinonasal lesions into various non-neoplastic and neoplastic types. But final histopathological examination provides a confirmatory diagnosis, although Immunohistochemistry is the final diagnostic method in few cases.

Prevalence and correlates of overweight/obesity among adolescents in an urban city of north India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Obesity and overweight is a growing pandemic affecting millions of adolescents in developed as well as developing countries. Obesity is associated with the onset of major chronic diseases leading to complications and also psychosocial problems in adolescents. The greater concern is that the risks of obesity during childhood will persist into adolescence and adulthood. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of being overweight and obesity and to study the associated risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1900 adolescents in the age group of 10-19 years were included in the study. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire which included the variables such as going to school by bus or cycle, eating habits, playing video/computer games or outdoor games and sibling count were recorded. Body weight and height were recorded in subjects for calculating body mass index (BMI). International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) classification was used for the estimation of being overweight and obese. RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 14.84 years (SD = 2.81). Mean weight increased from 34.7 to 55.09 kg from the age group 10-13 to 17-19 years. Mean height also increased from 1.34 to 1.57 m from the age group 10-13 to 17-19 years. Similarly, the mean body mass index was 19.23 at 10-13 years, followed by 21.11 at 14-16 years and 22.46 at 17-19 years. On binary logistic regression analysis, female gender, bus as a mode of transport, not playing games, and single sibling were found to have independent association with prevalence of being overweight.

The impact of potential new diagnostic criteria on the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: The International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) has proposed new criteria for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of GDM when IADPSG criteria were used with the prevalence when the current Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) criteria were used. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a prospective study over a 6-month period, examining the results of all glucose tolerance tests (GTTs) conducted for the diagnosis of GDM in Wollongong, a city using the public and private sectors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of GDM using the existing (ADIPS) and the proposed (IADPSG) criteria. RESULTS: There were 1275 evaluable GTTs (571 public and 704 private). Using the current ADIPS diagnostic criteria, the prevalence of GDM was 8.6% (public), 10.5% (private) and 9.6% (overall). Using the proposed IADPSG criteria, the prevalence of GDM was 9.1% (public), 16.2% (private) and 13.0% (overall). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed IADPSG criteria would increase the prevalence of GDM from 9.6% to 13.0% (P < 0.001). In our study in the Wollongong area, which has a population with a predominantly white background, this increase came mainly from older women attending a private pathology provider. Data from both the public and private sectors need to be included in any discussion on the change in prevalence of GDM.

Persistence of goitre in the post-iodization phase: micronutrient deficiency or thyroid autoimmunity?

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Despite years of salt iodization, goitre continues to be a major public health problem worldwide. We examined the prevalence of goitre in the post-iodization phase and the relationship of goitre with micronutrient status and thyroid autoimmunity in school children of Chandigarh, north India. METHODS: Two phase study; in the first phase, 2148 children of 6 to 16 yr were screened for goitre by two independent observers as per the WHO grading system. In the second phase, a case-control study, 191 children with goitre and 165 children without goitre were compared with respect to urinary iodine, iodine content of salt, serum levels of T3, T4, TSH, anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase) antibody, haemoglobin, ferritin and selenium. RESULTS: Prevalence of goitre in the studied subjects was 15.1 per cent (13.9% in 6 to 12 yr and 17.7% in 13 to 16 yr age group, P = 0.03). Median urinary iodine excretion in both the groups was sufficient and comparable (137 and 130 µg/l). 3.2 per cent children with goitre and 2.4 per cent without goitre had hypothyroidism (subclinical and clinical) and only one child with goitre had subclinical hyperthyroidism. Nine (4.9%) children in the goitre group and 3 (1.9%) in control group had anti-TPO antibody positivity. The median serum selenium levels were not different in both the groups (181.9 and 193.5 µg/l). Seventy one (37.4%) of the goitrous children had anaemia (haemoglobin <12 g/dl) as compared to 41 (24.8%) of the control group (P < 0.01). More number of goitrous children (39, 20.6%) were depleted of tissue iron stores (serum ferritin <12 µg/l) as compared to controls (11, 6.4%; P < 0.001). Serum ferritin level negatively correlated with the presence of goitre (r = -0.22, P = 0.008) and had an OR of 2.8 (CI 1.20-6.37, P = 0.017). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of goitre in young children despite iodine repletion and low thyroid autoimmunity. The concurrent iron deficiency correlated with the presence of goiter. However, the cause and effect relationship between iron deficiency state and goitre requires further elucidation.

Subanaesthetic dose of ketamine in intractable asthma.

A 75-year-old male diagnosed to be a case of intractable asthma resistant to all conventional therapies requiring ventilatory support, was successfully weaned off the ventilator after treatment with subanaesthetic dose of intravenous ketamine.