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Brain state classification using electroencephalography (EEG) finds applications in both clinical and non-clinical contexts, such as detecting sleep states or perceiving illusory effects during multisensory McGurk paradigm, respectively. Existing literature mostly considers recordings of EEG electrodes that cover the entire head. However, for real world applications, wearable devices that encompass just one (or a few) channels are desirable, which make the classification of EEG states even more challenging. With this as background, we applied variants of data driven Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) on McGurk EEG, which is an illusory perception of speech when the movement of lips does not match with the audio signal, for classifying whether the perception is affected by the visual cue or not. After applying a common pre-processing pipeline, we explored four EMD based frameworks to extract EEG features, which were classified using Random Forest. Among the four alternatives, the most effective framework decomposes the ensemble average of two classes of EEG into their respective intrinsic mode functions forming the basis on which the trials were projected to obtain features, which on classification resulted in accuracies of 63.66% using single electrode and 75.85% using three electrodes. The frequency band which plays vital role during audio-visual integration was also studied using traditional band pass filters. Of all, Gamma band was found to be the most prominent followed by alpha and beta bands which contemplates findings from previous studies.

This study investigated the clinical picture of gangrenous sigmoid volvulus presented by Indian patients to describe the various patterns of gangrene and to identify the risk factors leading to the very high mortality from this disease.A structured protocol including nine parameters was used to study risk factors in 76 patients treated at two major teaching hospitals in India. The clinical picture of patients at the two hospitals did not differ significantly.Contrary to expectations, we found gangrene in 26% of cases extending beyond the area of constriction into the rectum/descending colon. This extension was sometimes patchy and had an ill defined line of demarcation, which may lead to an error in judgment and cause a failure of anastomosis, which can be fatal. Risk factors were age over 60 years, the presence of shock on admission and a history of previous episodes of volvulus.This study identified three risks for survival. It is suggested that all patients with nongangrenous sigmoid volvulus undergo a recurrence-prevention procedure immediately or electively. We also found that extension of gangrene beyond the confines of the constriction is not uncommon, calling for caution on the part of the treating surgeon.

This article describes the rural elderly in eastern Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Data were obtained from a 1990 survey conducted in Varanasi district among four villages and a sample of 267 elderly aged 60 years and older. The main family structure is extended. The number of manual laborers many of whom are elderly has expanded. The elderly lack welfare programs and integrated health care. Families provide amenities and a sense of belonging. About 62% of the elderly in the sample were aged 60-69 years 24% were aged 70-79 years and 14% were aged 80 years and older. The age dependency ratio and the life expectancy at birth are gradually increasing. Rural areas support a larger population of elderly particularly elderly widows. Among the sample of persons grouped as "unhealthy" the common ailments involved the following: chest; cardiovascular neurological and psychiatric systems; gastrointestinal tract; eyes ears nose and throat; urinary tract; joints teeth and skin. Health status was significantly related to gender. 45% did not work. About 68% of the sample enjoyed the same treatment from families over their entire lives. About 28% experienced less satisfactory treatment as elderly. About 32% of lower-caste elderly reported poor treatment by families. 39% who reported poor family relations were housewives. Educated females enjoyed better family relations. About 71% were illiterate of whom 34% experienced poor family relations. About 74% of persons who contributed economically had the same or better family relations. Among 146 respondents who answered questions about assets 58% of males and 53% of females had assets many of whom had been farmers. Lower castes were less inclined to consider the elderly as assets. About 62% reported self-sufficiency. About 13% reported the need for help. About 74% supported the concept of a pension plan.

A male patient of 60 years presented with a swelling in the left groin of 10 months duration. Past records showed bilateral lumbar sympathectomy and omentopexy done 20 and 6 years back, respectively, for Buerger's disease. Abdominal examination revealed a huge hernial swelling in the left groin extending from the symphysis pubis to anterior superior iliac spine measuring 25 x 18 cm. On exploration, the contents were intestines and omentum, which were coming out through a defect of 5 x 3 cm in the lower fibers of the conjoint muscle 4 cm cephalad to the deep ring, a finding which made the final diagnosis as an incisional hernia. We present this interesting case as a very rare complication of omentopexy, probably not reported previously, and an unusual case of an incisional hernia presenting as an inguinal hernia which is very difficult to diagnose unless encountered before. Its rarity and clinical challenge is highlighted.

PURPOSE: Recurrence in sigmoid colon volvulus is a very vexing problem, because it occurs after all types of treatment including a resection of the sigmoid. A nonresective procedure that prevents recurrence in the long term has been devised and tried during the period 1968 to 1992. METHODS: The procedure involves extraperitonealization of the whole sigmoid colonvia a left paracolic gutter incision in a manner akin to an extraperitonealized colostomy and placing it in the left half of the infraumbilical abdominal wall. This article presents a study of 84 patients who underwent this operation and who were followed-up. Some very useful practical points for ensuring the success of the procedure are also presented. RESULTS: The subjects comprised 58 male and 26 female patients, aged 10 to 81 (median, 60) years. The operating time ranged from 40 to 70 (median, 50) min. The operative mortality (9 percent) and morbidity of the procedure including cardiopulmonary complications (7 percent), incidence of small-bowel obstruction (1 percent), and incisional hernia formation (2.3 percent), were reasonably low. The incidence of woundhealing problems was significantly (P