CT appearances of gastric injury due to caustic ingestion and associated findings (a study of 30 cases).

The mortality and morbidity of acute caustic gastric injuries are high. The spectrum of gastric injury due to caustic ingestion varies from hyperemia, erosion, and extensive ulcers to mucosal necrosis. Severe transmural necrosis can be associated with fistulous complications in the acute and subacute phases and stricture formation in the chronic phase. Due to these important clinical implications, timely diagnosis and appropriate management of gastric caustic injury are crucial, and endoscopy plays a pivotal role. However, critically ill patients or those with overt peritonitis and shock cannot undergo endoscopy. Thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT) is preferable to endoscopy as it avoids the risk of esophageal perforation and allows the evaluation of the entire gastrointestinal tract, as well as of the surrounding organs. With the advantage of not being invasive, CT scan has a promising role in the early evaluation of caustic injury. It has an increasing role in the emergency setting with good accuracy in identifying patients who are likely to benefit from surgery. In this pictorial essay, we present the CT spectrum of caustic injury of stomach and associated thoraco-abdominal injuries, with clinical follow-up.

Improved Position Accuracy of Foot-Mounted Inertial Sensor by Discrete Corrections from Vision-Based Fiducial Marker Tracking.

In this paper, we present a novel pedestrian indoor positioning system that uses sensor fusion between a foot-mounted inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a vision-based fiducial marker tracking system. The goal is to provide an after-action review for first responders during training exercises. The main contribution of this work comes from the observation that different walking types (e.g., forward walking, sideways walking, backward walking) lead to different levels of position and heading error. Our approach takes this into account when accumulating the error, thereby leading to more-accurate estimations. Through experimentation, we show the variation in error accumulation and the improvement in accuracy alter when and how often to activate the camera tracking system, leading to better balance between accuracy and power consumption overall. The IMU and vision-based systems are loosely coupled using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to ensure accurate and unobstructed positioning computation. The motion model of the EKF is derived from the foot-mounted IMU data and the measurement model from the vision system. Existing indoor positioning systems for training exercises require extensive active infrastructure installation, which is not viable for exercises taking place in a remote area. With the use of passive infrastructure (i.e., fiducial markers), the positioning system can accurately track user position over a longer duration of time and can be easily integrated into the environment. We evaluated our system on an indoor trajectory of 250 m. Results show that even with discrete corrections, near a meter level of accuracy can be achieved. Our proposed system attains the positioning accuracy of 0.55 m for a forward walk, 1.05 m for a backward walk, and 1.68 m for a sideways walk with a 90% confidence level.

Multi-band ultrathin reflective metasurface for linear and circular polarization conversion in Ku, K, and Ka bands.

Linear polarization (LP) and circular polarization (CP) holds paramount importance in Ku, K, and Ka bands for satellite based communication, and remote sensing applications. Satellite based remote sensing applications face challenges like atmospheric attenuation, noise & interference, and signal degradation. Moreover, satellite based communication application demands CP in two distinct, non-adjacent frequency bands with orthogonal polarizations at greater oblique angles, considering the unpredictable incidence angles of electromagnetic (EM) waves. Addressing these challenges, an innovative metasurface polarization converter is proposed to operate efficiently across the Ku-band (13.5-18.0 GHz), K-band (18.0-26.5 GHz), and Ka-band (26.5-38.5 GHz) frequency ranges. The converter achieves left-handed circular polarization (LHCP) in the Ku- and Ka-bands within the frequency ranges of 14.57-15.65 GHz and 27.47-33.85 GHz for y-polarized incident EM waves. Additionally, it provides right-handed circular polarization (RHCP) in the K- and Ka-bands at 17.27-23.92 GHz and 35.87-38.32 GHz for y-polarized incident EM waves. The LP conversion ratio exceeds 95% in the frequency bands of 15.97-16.85 GHz, 24.70-26.65 GHz, and 34.37-35.45 GHz for y-polarized, LHCP, and RHCP incident EM waves, respectively. The metasurface exhibits robust performance up to incidence angles of 45 degrees under oblique conditions. Experimental validation using traditional board-circuit manufacturing demonstrates close agreement between measured co- and cross-polarized reflection coefficients and simulations in the 13.5-18 GHz, and 24-38.5 GHz frequency range. Thin metasurface with a thickness of only 0.64 = 0.013λo mm, the proposed design outperforms existing studies in the literature, establishing its competitive edge in terms of structure and performance.

Glycine Improved Cryopreserved Spermatozoa Quality in Achai Bull.

Achai is a small size cattle breed, resilient to harsh and cold environment. Cryopreservation of Achai bull semen may help to improve its genetics and preserve the germplasm. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) affects the structural and functional integrity of the spermatozoa. During freezing and thawing processes, the ROS make changes in the spermatozoa quality parameters and reduce total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of semen that is considered as marker of oxidative stress. This study was designed to determine the effect of glycine along with vitamin E on post-thawed spermatozoa quality and total antioxidant capacity in Achai cattle. The semen collection was done twice a week from four mature fertile Achai cattle bulls (n = 4). The glycine was utilized as 0 mM, 5 mM, 10 mM, 15 mM, and 20 mM along with vitamin E @ 2.3 mM added constantly in each concentration. The control group contained all extenders except glycine. The results revealed that post-thawed spermatozoa motility was found significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 10 mM as compared to 5 mM, 15 mM, and 20 mM. Compared with control group, glycine concentration at 10 mM and other concentrations increased progressive and fast motility (%), curvilinear, straight line, and average path velocity (µm/s). Moreover, beat cross frequency (Hz) was higher (P < 0.05), and post-thaw viability (%), plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 10 mM of glycine concentration in comparison to control and other glycine concentrations. Besides, acrosome integrity (%) and DNA integrity (%) as well as post-thawed T-AOC were also significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 10 mM of glycine concentration as compared to other glycine concentrations and control group. It is concluded that 10 mM of glycine along with vitamin E @ 2.3 mM improved cryopreserved semen quality of Achai bull.

Kangaroo mother care: need of the day.

Each year approximately 20 million low birthweight babies are born globally. Prematurity is a leading cause of neonatal mortality in developing countries and results in 60%-80% of neonatal deaths. Neonatal mortality is the major contributor to under-5 mortality. According to Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018, neonatal mortality in Pakistan is 42 per 1000 live births and under-5 mortality is 74 per 1000 live births. One out of every 22 newborns dies in Pakistan, which is an alarming figure. Majority of these deaths are preventable. They can be prevented by well-trained midwives, safe delivery, early initiation of breast feeding within an hour after birth and skin-to-skin contact. Pakistan is among the top 10 countries with the highest number of preterm births and with limited resources to manage the burden. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a safe and economical alternative to provide preterm care in developing countries. In babies at gestational age less than 37 weeks or with neonatal weight less than 2.5 kg, skin-to-skin contact prevents hypothermia and infection. Neonatal mortality and morbidity can be reduced by providing preterm care through KMC. This case report is of a preterm baby who was delivered at 33 weeks of gestation with a weight of 1.3 kg and was saved by KMC in the paediatric department of Services Hospital in Lahore.

Investigation of new indirect spectrophotometric method for the determination of carbofuran in carbamate pesticides.

A new spectrophotometric method has been investigated for the determination of Carbofuran pesticide. The method was based on the hydrolysis of the pesticides. The hydrolyzed products, methylamine on reaction with sodium nitroprusside solution in acetone medium gives a purple colored solution. The absorbance of the resulting solution was measured at 530 nm. Conditions for the complete hydrolysis of pesticides and quantitative determination of methylamine were optimized. From the standard calibration plot of methylamine, the amount of pesticides was calculated. The amount of active ingredients in commercial products was determined from the amount of methylamine found. It was observed that lower concentration of the active ingredients were present in the commercial products. The limit of detection and quantification was calculated and found to be 0.804 and 2.68 ppm respectively.

Histopathological diagnosis and outcome of paediatric nephrotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the histological picture and outcome of treatment in cases of childhood nephrotic syndrome who needed renal biopsy. DESIGN: An analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Paediatrics, King Edward Medical College, and Mayo Hospital, Lahore from 1st June 1996 to 31st December, 2001 over a period of 5-1/2 years. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Children suffering from nephortic syndrome who had atypical features at presentation were initially or late non-responders; frequent relapsers on < 1mg kg/day and were steroid dependent or frequently relapsed on < 1 mg kg/day but developed steroid toxicity were included. Renal biopsy was performed in these patients. Treatment was administered according to the histopathology reports. Prednisolone 60 mg /m2/day followed after response by 40 mg /m2 on alternate days (AD) which was later tapered off. In minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) with frequent relapses cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine and levimisole were used. For steroid resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) intravenous pulses of methyl-prednisolone and cyclosporine were also given. These patients were followed to see the response of the therapy. RESULTS: The commonest diagnosis was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (42%) followed by minimal change disease (MCNS) (22%), membranoproliferative or mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MPGN) (14%) and Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (Mes PGN) (12%). There were 6% cases of membranous nephropathy and 4% of diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis. On presentation, 40% had hematuria, 20% were found to be hypertensive, 12% patients had renal insufficiency and in 4% C3 level was low. Majority of the patients with MPGN and FSGS had atypical features whereas none of the patients with membranous nephropathy had any of these features. Thirty percent cases each of FSGS and MCNS were responders. Among non-responders there were 4 cases of FSGS and one of MPGN. CONCLUSION: FSGS was the commonest histology in cases of childhood nephrotic syndrome that needed renal biopsy. Highest frequency of atypical features was seen in MPGN and FSGS.

A geometric method for nipple localization.

BACKGROUND: An important part of preoperative assessment in breast reduction surgery is to locate the site of the nipple-areola complex for the newly structured breast. Inappropriate location is difficult to correct secondarily. Traditional methods of nipple localization taught and practiced suggest the nipple to be located anterior to the inframammary fold. Trying to project this point on the anterior surface of the breast requires either large calipers or feeling the posteriorly placed finger on the anterior surface of a large breast. This certainly introduces some subjectivity to the calculation. OBJECTIVES: To introduce an easy and accurate method of nipple localization to reduce the learning curve for trainee surgeons. METHODS: Aesthetic placement of the nipples is at the lower angles of an equilateral or a short isosceles triangle on the chest with its apex at the sternal angle. This triangle can be thought of as two right-angled triangles with their Y-axis on the median plane. The base and vertical limb are measured, and the hypotenuse is calculated. The location of the lower angle is marked on the anterior surface of the breast and represents the new position of the nipple. RESULTS: Forty patients had nipple localization performed in the above-described manner, with satisfactory placement of the nipple-areola complex. CONCLUSIONS: The above technique introduces some objective measurements to the localization of the nipple in breast reduction surgery. It is easy to practice, and infuses confidence in trainees marking their initial breast reductions.

Endoscopic dacrocystorhinostomy in lacrimal canalicular trauma.

A case is presented where the common insertion of the upper and lower canaliculus of the lacrimal sac was repaired using endoscopic dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) techniques, with silicone stenting and securing of stents intranasally.