Optimizing Capacitive Pressure Sensor Geometry: A Design of Experiments Approach with a Computer-Generated Model.

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the design and optimization of capacitive pressure sensors (CPSs) for their integration into capacitive touch buttons in electronic applications. Using the Finite Element Method (FEM), various geometries of dielectric layers were meticulously modeled and analyzed for their capacitive and sensitivity parameters. The flexible elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is used as a diaphragm, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a flexible material that acts as a dielectric medium. The Design of Experiment (DoE) techniques, aided by statistical analysis, were employed to identify the optimal geometric shapes of the CPS model. From the prediction using the DoE approach, it is observed that the cylindrical-shaped dielectric medium has better sensitivity. Using this optimal configuration, the CPS was further examined across a range of dielectric layer thicknesses to determine the capacitance, stored electrical energy, displacement, and stress levels at uniform pressures ranging from 0 to 200 kPa. Employing a 0.1 mm dielectric layer thickness yields heightened sensitivity and capacitance values, which is consistent with theoretical efforts. At a pressure of 200 kPa, the sensor achieves a maximum capacitance of 33.3 pF, with a total stored electric energy of 15.9 × 10-12 J and 0.468 pF/Pa of sensitivity for 0.1 dielectric thickness. These findings underscore the efficacy of the proposed CPS model for integration into capacitive touch buttons in electronic devices and e-skin applications, thereby offering promising advancements in sensor technology.

A de novo frameshift in HNRNPK causing a Kabuki-like syndrome with nodular heterotopia.

Kabuki syndrome is a heterogeneous condition characterized by distinctive facial features, intellectual disability, growth retardation, skeletal abnormalities and a range of organ malformations. Although at least two major causative genes have been identified, these do not explain all cases. Here we describe a patient with a complex Kabuki-like syndrome that included nodular heterotopia, in whom testing for several single-gene disorders had proved negative. Exome sequencing uncovered a de novo c.931_932insTT variant in HNRNPK (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K). Although this variant was identified in March 2012, its clinical relevance could only be confirmed following the August 2015 publication of two cases with HNRNPK mutations and an overlapping phenotype that included intellectual disability, distinctive facial dysmorphism and skeletal/connective tissue abnormalities. Whilst we had attempted (unsuccessfully) to identify additional cases through existing collaborators, the two published cases were 'matched' using GeneMatcher, a web-based tool for connecting researchers and clinicians working on identical genes. Our report therefore exemplifies the importance of such online tools in clinical genetics research and the benefits of periodically reviewing cases with variants of unproven significance. Our study also suggests that loss of function variants in HNRNPK should be considered as a molecular basis for patients with Kabuki-like syndrome.

The behavioral consequences of exposure to antiepileptic drugs in utero.

The aim of the study was to examine the behavior of 242 children, aged between 6 and 16 years, born to mothers with epilepsy. Exposure to sodium valproate (VPA) in utero was associated with high levels of parental stress induced by the child's maladaptive behavior. These children were also poorer for daily living skills and skills relating to socialization. The outcomes on both measures were strongly affected by the Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) of the child; however, no significant differences were found between the groups and therefore this pattern of results cannot simply be attributed to a lower FSIQ. The results of this study suggest that exposure to VPA in utero and the presence of a lowered FSIQ are risk factors for the development of poorer adaptive behavior and a higher rate of maladaptive behaviors.

Dysmorphic features: an important clue to the diagnosis and severity of fetal anticonvulsant syndromes.

BACKGROUND: In utero exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can result in several different teratogenic effects including major malformations, dysmorphic facial features, and learning and behavioural problems. It is estimated that there is a 2-3-fold increase in the risk of malformations compared with the general population. The risk of cognitive impairment and behavioural problems is less clear. OBJECTIVE: To report the frequency and specificity of individual dysmorphic features and to relate the dysmorphic facial phenotype to developmental outcome. METHODS: A retrospective study of 375 children born to 219 mothers with epilepsy. The age of the study group ranged from 6 months to 16 years. Each child underwent a physical examination and a battery of neuropsychological tests. Dysmorphic features were scored from photographs on a blind basis by a panel of dysmorphologists. RESULTS: A total of 274 children were exposed to AEDs (63 to valproate, 94 to carbamazepine, 26 to phenytoin, 15 to other monotherapies, and 76 to polytherapy). Major malformations were identified in 14% of children exposed to valproate in utero, 5% exposed to carbamazepine, and 4% in the non-exposed group. Overall, 47% of exposed children were correctly identified as having been exposed to AEDs in utero. There was a significant correlation between verbal intelligence quotient and dysmorphic facial features in the valproate exposed children only. CONCLUSION: Children exposed to valproate have more distinctive facial features, but a subtle and distinctive facial phenotype is also seen in children exposed to carbamazepine. Nearly half (45%) of unexposed children had some of the facial features associated with AED exposure, showing that many of these features may be seen as part of normal variation and that the diagnosis of the fetal anticonvulsant syndrome is difficult to make on the basis of facial gestalt alone. Developmental surveillance should be offered to children with prenatal exposure to AEDs, particularly those with exposure to high doses of valproate.

Efficacy of Collagen Particles in Chronic Non Healing Ulcers.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic foot ulcers will lead to a significant and prolonged stress to the patients. Pain and discomfort that may be acute or continuous is the usual complaint in chronic non healing ulcers that may even exacerbate with change of the dressings. The end process in any wound healing is wound contracture and scar formation. Collagen plays an important role in this stage of wound healing. Collagen particles were used in chronic non healing ulcer management to prove their efficacy when compared with conventional dressing in a study conducted by us. OBJECTIVE: To compare the healing process in non healing ulcers using collagen particles with those of conventional method of dressing (betadine). MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a non randomized, prospective study conducted for a period of October 2012 to October 2014 in hospitals belonging to Kasturba medical college. Non concurrent pre and post comparative study; between collagen group and conventional dressing group. A total of 110 patients with chronic ulcers were included; each group comprising 55 patients. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in wound size with a mean difference of 37.29 in experimental group when compared to 14.29 in control group. CONCLUSION: Collagen dressing is effective in management of chronic non healing ulcers when compared to conventional betadine dressing. It heals by forming an early granulation tissue and thus reducing the length of hospital stay.

Ocular spherulocystosis.

Spherulocystosis (myospherulosis), a rare entity, is characterised by histopathological changes of sac-like refractile structures in soft tissue and presents clinically as an inflammatory lesion. It is caused by trauma or is induced iatrogenically by the topical application of fat based ointments. A case of myospherulosis confined to the region of the lacrimal caruncle, which developed soon after topical antibiotic application for suspected conjunctivitis, in a 49 year old woman is reported. Though this lesion is uncommon, this report illustrates the importance of recognising this condition to avoid confusion with and treatment for fungal infection.

Use of the FBX dosemeter for the calibration of cobalt-60 and high-energy teletherapy machines.

The doses from the cobalt-60 teletherapy machines were measured using the FBX and secondary-standard dosemeters of Farmer-Baldwin type. The FBX dosemeter contained 0.20 mM ferrous ammonium sulphate, 5.0 mM benzoic acid and 0.20 mM xylenol orange in 0.05 N sulphuric acid. The values were compared with the values from a Fricke dosemeter and a graphite chamber used as primary standards. The values of the FBX, Fricke and graphite chambers agreed. There were, however wide differences among the different secondary-standard dosemeters themselves and with the FBX dosemeter. The FBX dosemeter was used for the measurement of central axis depth dose distributions for 5, 8, 10, 20 and 30 MeV electron and 42 MV x-ray beams.

Rhinosporidiosis of the parotid duct cyst: cytomorphological diagnosis of an unusual extranasal presentation.

This cytology report highlights a case of rhinosporidiosis of the parotid duct cyst not associated with nasal manifestations. In an endemic area, one should be familiar with its morphologic features in fine-needle aspiration cytology even on scanty material, for it could be one of the investigations in the initial workup of a case.

Aspiration cytology of echinococcus oligarthrus. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology is a useful technique in the diagnosis of several parasitic infections. The present case highlights the aspiration cytology findings in a case of Echinococcus oligarthrus infection, a rare variant of the Echinococcus species affecting humans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on the cytology of E oligarthrus in English. CASE: A submandibular swelling developed in a 14-year-old male. A mistaken diagnosis of Cysticercus cellulosae was made on the first aspirate and of a hydatid cyst (Echinococcus granulosus) on the second aspirate. A diagnosis of E oligarthrus was made on subsequent histopathologic examination of the excised lesion. CONCLUSION: This seems to be the first case report in English of the cytomorphology of E oligarthrus on fine needle aspiration cytology with histopathologic confirmation.

Ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration of the parathyroid. A report of two cases.

Two cases of parathyroid adenoma were diagnosed with ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. Both patients were clinically suspected of having features of primary hyperparathyroidism. On aspiration, one had an associated cystic change with golden brown fluid and the other a markedly cellular aspirate. The cells aspirated were differentiated from thyroid epithelial cells.

Neural hypertrophy in carcinoma stomach.

Neural hypertrophy with hyperplastic Schwann cells in the wall of the stomach along with enterochromaffin cell hyperplasia was incidentally observed at histology in the gastrectomy specimen of a 43-year-old man with carcinoma stomach who had presented with upper abdominal pain of one year duration. The patient had no previous abdominal surgery or evidence of gastrointestinal obstructive pathology. The significance of this neural hypertrophy is not known.

Laryngeal carcinoma ex-papilloma in a non-irradiated, non-smoking patient: a clinical record and review of the literature.

Malignant transformation of respiratory papillomata is not uncommon in the presence of precipitating factors such as tobacco smoking and therapeutic irradiation. Respiratory papilloma changing to carcinoma in the absence of smoking and irradiation is seldom seen, with only about 20 documented cases presented in the literature. Here we report one such case in a 30-year-old male patient.

Angioleiomyoma in the tonsil: an uncommon tumour in a rare site.

An angioleiomyoma was excised from the palatine tonsil in a 30-year-old woman who complained of a painless swelling in the region of the tonsil. The mucosa covering the lesion showed prominent dilated blood vessels, necessitating vascular laboratory investigations to exclude any possibility of an aneurysm arising from the carotid system. The mass was excised with little blood loss. This was an uncommon tumour in an unusual site and required radio-imaging and angiographic studies of the great vessels of the head and neck before any operation was attempted. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in English.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva in association with mixed vulvar dystrophy. A brief report with review of literature.

Of the 74 patients of vulvar lichen sclerosus diagnosed over a period of 29 years from 1966-1995, two cases of mixed dystrophies characterised by lichen sclerosus with squamous cell hyperplasia were studied and one of these on close follow-up, developed an invasive squamous cell carcinoma after three years. The other case has been doing well and has not shown further progression of the lesion. The remaining 72 patients of vulvar lichen sclerosus alone have shown no signification change on close follow-up for a minimum of five years. This paper highlights the fact that all cases of vulvar dystrophy especially, lichen sclerosus must be regularly followed up for development of squamous cell hyperplasia and their progression to overt vulvar carcinoma, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and treatment of non-neoplastic vulvar dystrophies.

Colonic carcinomas masquerading as Crohn's colitis.

When colonic carcinomas present with acute abdomen, the operating surgeon and the pathologist face a plethora of diagnostic and therapeutic problems. In this retrospective study of 92 cases of carcinoma colon, 4 presented with acute intestinal obstruction of which three had a turbulent post operative period and died. The resected colonic segment showed on gross examination cobblestone appearance characteristic of Crohn's disease but microscopically was ischemic with the stricture site showing features of an infiltrating poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. We have made an attempt to study the various pathologic features and analyse their significance with reference to prognosis.

Choriocarcinoma of the ovary in a post-menopausal woman.

A case of a Choriocarcinoma of the Ovary has been reported in a 50 year old post-menopausal woman. At laparotomy, the lesion was seen as a large necrotic ovarian mass. The problems of distinguishing Gestational from Non-gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma are discussed. Cytogenetic studies are indicated to investigate potential reasons for the difference in prognosis.

Non familial juvenile polyposis presenting as chronic intestinal obstruction.

Juvenile polyps are the commonest colonic polyps seen in children and present most often with rectal bleed. Intussusception is an extremely rare presentation in juvenile polyposis (JP) syndrome. This case highlights the rare association of ileo-colic intussusception with non-familial Juvenile Polyposis.