Optimum resource allocation in optical wireless systems with energy-efficient fog and cloud architectures.

Optical wireless communication (OWC) is a promising technology that can provide high data rates while supporting multiple users. The optical wireless (OW) physical layer has been researched extensively, however, less work was devoted to multiple access and how the OW front end is connected to the network. In this paper, an OWC system which employs a wavelength division multiple access (WDMA) scheme is studied, for the purpose of supporting multiple users. In addition, a cloud/fog architecture is proposed for the first time for OWC to provide processing capabilities. The cloud/fog-integrated architecture uses visible indoor light to create high data rate connections with potential mobile nodes. These OW nodes are further clustered and used as fog mini servers to provide processing services through the OW channel for other users. Additional fog-processing units are located in the room, the building, the campus and at the metro level. Further processing capabilities are provided by remote cloud sites. Two mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) models were proposed to numerically study networking and processing in OW systems. The first MILP model was developed and used to optimize resource allocation in the indoor OWC systems, in particular, the allocation of access points (APs) and wavelengths to users, while the second MILP model was developed to optimize the placement of processing tasks in the different fog and cloud nodes available. The optimization of tasks placement in the cloud/fog-integrated architecture was analysed using the MILP models. Multiple scenarios were considered where the mobile node locations were varied in the room and the amount of processing and data rate requested by each OW node was varied. The results help to identify the optimum colour and AP to use for communication for a given mobile node location and OWC system configuration, the optimum location to place processing and the impact of the network architecture. This article is part of the theme issue 'Optical wireless communication'.

Use of internet by the teaching faculty of Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

This study was planned to examine the hard and soft form of learning resources available on the internet accessed by the teaching faculty. This study was conducted at the Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan from January 2to April 2017. As the target population was not too large, no sampling technique was employed and census-based approach was adopted. For data collection, the pre-tested questionnaire was distributed among 115 faculty members of both basic and clinical sciences groups with a response rate of 66(57.39%). Data was analysed using SPSS. Among the respondents, 38(57.6%) were males and 28(42.4%) were females. A majority 51 (77.27%) of the respondents used the internet for teaching and research. Library was the most frequently 22 (33.33%) used place for the internet use. Low internet speed, virus on computers and a lack of modern trainings were the major barriers. E-journals, e-books, online databases and theses and dissertations were the major sources consulted by the participants.

A cross-sectional study on the self-management of asthma and asthma control among adult asthmatic patients in the Aseer region, KSA.

Proper management of asthma is crucial for maintaining control over the disease and has a significant impact on the patient's overall condition. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of self-management and the level of Asthma control in the patients from the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia, as well as to investigate determinants of illness control. A study was conducted using quantitative cross-sectional methods. Researchers utilised a web-based, self-administered structured questionnaire to gather data. The questionnaire included three sections: a socio-demographic section, an Asthma Self-Management Questionnaire (ASMQ), and Asthma Control Test (ACT). An analysis using the chi-square test was conducted to determine if there was a notable connection between the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and the level of asthma control. A total of 305 responses were collected. The average score for the Asthma Self-Management Questionnaire was 5.72, which corresponds to 40.9%. Based on the scores from the Asthma Control Test, it was found that 60 patients (20.0%) had asthma that was not under control, 94 (30.0%) had asthma that was partially controlled, and 151 (50.0%) had asthma that was well controlled. Factors such as gender, non-smoking status, and having asthma for over 10 years (p ˂0.05) were found to be strongly correlated with improved disease control. Significant gaps were found in patients' awareness of the most important and critical aspects concerning the condition, medications, and preventative actions that limit asthma aggravation. To address the current situation, hospitals and clinics must make substantial efforts.

miRNAs as cornerstones in colorectal cancer pathogenesis and resistance to therapy: A spotlight on signaling pathways interplay - A review.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the world's third most prevalent cancer and the main cause of cancer-related mortality. A lot of work has been put into improving CRC patients' clinical care, including the development of more effective methods and wide biomarkers variety for prognostic, and diagnostic purposes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate a variety of cellular processes and play a significant role in the CRC progression and spread via controlling their target gene expression by translation inhibition or mRNA degradation. Consequently, dysregulation and disruption in their function, miRNAs are linked to CRC malignant pathogenesis by controlling several cellular processes involved in the CRC. These cellular processes include increased proliferative and invasive capacity, cell cycle aberration, evasion of apoptosis, enhanced EMT, promotion of angiogenesis and metastasis, and decreased sensitivity to major treatments. The miRNAs control cellular processes in CRC via regulation of pathways such as Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, PTEN/AKT/mTOR axis, KRAS, TGFb signaling, VEGFR, EGFR, and P53. Hence, the goal of this review was to review miRNA biogenesis and present an updated summary of oncogenic and tumor suppressor (TS) miRNAs and their potential implication in CRC pathogenesis and responses to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We also summarise the biological importance and clinical applications of miRNAs in the CRC.

Philadelphia Chromosome Positive de novo Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Philadelphia chromosome positive de novoacute myeloid leukemia (AML)is a rare disease with reported incidence of less than 1% of newly diagnosed cases of AML. Outcome of the disease is poor, owing to its resistance to conventional chemotherapy and variable response to imatinib besylate. We report a case of 24-year man who reported to our unit in November 2014 and was treated with conventional induction and consolidation chemotherapy with imatinib besylate. He achieved complete remission after induction chemotherapy and remained in remission. His cytogenetics also reverted to normal after consolidation chemotherapy. He relapsed after 3 months of maintenance imatinib besylate.

Electronic cages for living cells.

Design and construction of an electronic cage is described which enables real-time manipulation of live and dead eukaryotic cells. Non-uniform, radio frequency (RF) AC electric fields are used to enable translational and rotational movement of cells, known as dielectrophoresis (DEP) and electro-rotation (EROT), and distinguish their state as viable and non-viable. A concentric multilayered mathematical model, applicable for eukaryotic cells, is also developed, coded and implemented. The simulations predict three dielectric dispersions in the DEP and EROT spectra, though in practice the third is very small so that two are observed. The cage is part of a multi-staged project incorporating controller and DEP/EROT digital signal generator and image processing.

Applicability of international prognostic index in non Hodgkin's lymphoma in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive non Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL) are common in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa. Data on survival with relation to prognostic factors is scarce. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the applicability of International Prognostic Index (IPI) to predict overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) in developing countries. METHODS: Two hundred and nineteen patients of NHL consecutively presenting to the Department of Oncology, Jinnah Hospital Lahore between August 1998 to July 2000 were analyzed. All patients underwent initial staging according to Ann Arbor staging system. The patients were categorized by five independent risk factors: patient age, disease stage, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, performance status, and number of extranodal sites involved. Patients were divided into three risk categories Low (0 or one risk factors), Intermediate (2 risk factors) and High (3 or more risk factors). RESULTS: According to IPI low risk category comprised of 15%, intermediate 21% and high 64% of patients, Overall survival (OS) for 2 years and 5 years (n=197) was (69%), (51%), (32%) and (64%), (46%), (13%) respectively (p=0.0008). Disease free survival (DFS) for 2 years and five years (n=197) was (66%), (43%), (34%) and (66%), (43%), (18%) respectively. Age adjusted (60) DFS for 2 and 5 years (n=164) was (70%), (45%), (40%) and (63%), (45%) (19%) respectively. OS for 2 and 5 years (n=164) was (71%), (52%), (34%) and (64%), (46%), (11%) respectively (p=0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: The IPI accurately predicted survival in our population. Modification of treatment protocols according to specific risk groups will be beneficial to the developing countries with limited resources.

Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia in the imatinib era: perspective from a developing country.

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of data from developing countries on the efficacy and safety of imatinib mesylate in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The primary objective of this study was to document complete and partial cytogenetic responses to imatinib in all phases of CML. Secondary objectives included evaluations of complete hematologic response, safety, time to progression, and survival. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-five patients in all phases of CML who received treatment with imatinib from January 2001 to December 2005 were included in the study. All patients had on bone marrow or BCR-ABL positive in peripheral blood by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 18 months, major cytogenetic responses (Ph <35%) in chronic phase (CP), accelerated phase (AP), and blastic phase (BP) were documented in 61%, 57%, and 28% of patients, respectively. A complete cytogenetic response was observed in 39.4%, 35.7%, and 14.3% of patients in CP, AP, and BP, respectively; and a complete hematologic response was observed in 90%, 86%, and 30%, respectively. The median time to progression at 18 months was 91% in CP and 68% in AP. The overall survivals in CP, AP, and BP at 18 months was 92%, 74%, and 38%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Impressive hematologic, cytogenetic, and molecular responses to imatinib were observed, similar to the responses reported in patients from Western countries. Patients had good compliance, toxicity was limited, and overall quality of life was improved markedly. The results indicated that the biology of CML is not different in patients from developing countries.