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In this paper, we present an accumulator based built-in self test (BIST) with approximate adders for single input change (SIC) test pattern generation. The SIC pairs of test pattern is the key requirement for testing robustly detectable delay faults. The accumulator is designed using approximate adder which is commonly applicable for error tolerant applications whose inputs are driven by barrel shifter. The experimental results show that proposed accumulator with approximate adder is a promising solution for test pattern generation in accumulator based BIST. It is also shown that, the proposed scheme achieves significant reduction in transistor count and generates SIC pairs within (n+1/2) 2n clock cycles as compared to conventional methods.

Background: Use of B-mode ultrasound (US) may not obviate the need for diagnosis by histopathology, which is an invasive technique and remains the gold standard. These limitations are being overcome with the advent of shear wave elastography (SWE). Objectives: To assess the diagnostic role of SWE parameters and combined SWE and B-mode US in diagnosing malignant breast lesions. Method: This cross-sectional study included all patients with a breast mass on clinical examination. A B-mode US with a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessment and SWE evaluation (distance ratio [DR], area ratio [AR] and shear wave velocity [SWV]) in the lesion and healthy breast tissue of all recruited patients was performed. Cut-offs for SWE parameters were derived by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The diagnostic performance of the B-mode US, the SWE parameters and the combined imaging in diagnosing malignancy was assessed. Results: This study included a total of 175 breast masses. The median values of the SWE parameters were significantly higher (p 0.001) in the malignant breast masses (DR, 1.29 vs. 1.03; AR, 1.69 vs. 1.06; and SWV, 9.1 metre per second [m/s] vs. 2.1 m/s). The ROC cut-off for malignancy was derived at 1.135 m/s, 1.18 m/s and 3.18 m/s, respectively, for DR, AR and SWV. The area under the ROC curve was highest for the DR (0.930), whilst this value was 0.914 and 0.901 for the SWV and AR, respectively. Amongst the respective sensitivities and specificities of the B-mode US (90.6% and 90%), SWE (97.6% and 61.1%), SWE (excluding AR) (96.5% and 77.8%) and combined imaging (100% and 72.2%), the highest sensitivity was noted for the combined method. Conclusion: All the SWE parameters were significantly higher in the malignant breast masses, compared to the benign lesions. On combining SWE and B-mode US, there was a significant increase in sensitivity but a decrease in specificity.

Background: Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of wounds. However, evidence of its benefit in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), especially with respect to Indian population, is sparse. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial included DFUs of Wagner's Grades 1 and 2. Patients were further stratified with respect to DFU size

Introduction: Stool-based immunochromatographic test (ICT) requires validation for use in regional setups. Hence, this study was carried out to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a newly developed ICT kit (Pylori-Strip/Pylori K-Set, Corisbio). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective analytical study on patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The combination of histology and urease was used as gold standard. Stool specimens were subjected to immunochromatographic stool antigen test using Corisbio stool antigen kit. The diagnostic performance of cassette and dipstick method and combination both was compared to the gold standard. Correlation of test efficacy with endoscopic, histological, and demographic parameters was carried out. Results: A total of 143 patients were included in the study. The diagnostic performance of cassette method and dipstick method was sensitivity, 73.3% (22/30) and 73.3% (22/30); specificity, 97.3% (110/113) and 98.23% (111/113); positive predictive value (PPV), 88% (22/25) and 91.66% (22/24); negative predictive value (NPV), 93.22% (110/118) and 93.27% (111/119); and overall accuracy, 92.3% (132/143) and 93% (133/143), respectively, when compared with the gold standard. The combination of the tests had a sensitivity of 73.3% (22/30), specificity of 97.3% (110/113), PPV of 88% (22/25), NPV of 93.22% (110/118), and accuracy of 92.3% (132/143). The diagnostic performance of the kit was unaffected by various demographic, endoscopic, or histological characteristics. Conclusions: The stool-based ICT is rapid and noninvasive diagnostic test with a high specificity, PPV and NPV, and overall accuracy. However, as the sensitivity is low, it should be primarily used as a rapid office test to determine eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Background/Aim: To compare early stoma closure with conventional stoma closure following defunctioning diversion stoma surgery with respect to the frequency of complications, health-related quality of life (QoL), and length of hospitalization (LoH). Patients and Methods: This study was designed as a prospective parallel-arm randomized controlled trial. Patients who underwent temporary stoma following bowel surgery between February 2014 and November 2015 were included. The rate of complications (medical and surgical) following early and conventional stoma closure was assessed. Health-related QoL and LoH were also measured. Results: One hundred patients were included, with 50 cases in each group. Postoperative complications including laparostoma (6% vs. 2%;P = 0.307), wound infection (32% vs. 18%; P = 0.106), intra-abdominal collection (14% vs. 18%; P = 0.585), anastomotic leak (4%vs. 8%;P = 0.400), and medical complications were comparable (22% vs. 32%;P = 0.257). The length of hospital stay, overall mortality and morbidity (64% vs. 44%; P = 0.05) were similar across the two groups. There was a significant reduction in the cost towards stoma care (96% vs. 2%; P = 0.001) in the early stoma closure group. Patients in the early stoma closure group also had a significantly better QoL. Conclusion: Early stoma closure does not carry an increased risk of postoperative complications, reduces cost towards stoma care, and leads to better a QoL.

Gastric outlet obstruction is one of the most common clinical presentations of carcinoma of the stomach, especially in South-West Asia. Although gross gastric dilatation is common in benign obstruction of the pylorus due to peptic ulcer disease, a hugely dilated and distended stomach can be a very rare presentation in a patient with malignancy. A 65-year-old female patient presented with recurrent episodes of vomiting immediately after food, ball-rolling movements in the abdomen, and loss of appetite and significant weight loss in the past 1 month. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a dilated stomach and an ulceroproliferative growth in the antropyloric region. A biopsy of the growth revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed proliferative growth at antrum and the hugely dilated stomach reaching up to the pelvis. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperative findings were that of a dilated and thickened stomach with growth at the antropyloric region of the stomach. Metastatic omental deposits were also seen, and thus, palliative gastrojejunostomy was carried out. This case is being reported to highlight that occasionally malignant gastric outlet obstruction may lead to a massive dilatation of the stomach.

Most commonly reported postoperative complications of Frey's procedure include sepsis, delayed gastric emptying, and endocrine insufficiency. Here, we report unusual complications such as gastric outlet obstruction and intussusception following Frey's procedure in the late postoperative period. A 40-year-old patient with chronic pancreatitis with common bile duct stricture who underwent Frey's procedure, presented with recurrent vomiting episodes 3 months postoperatively. Contrast-enhanced computed tomogram (CECT) abdomen showed features of gastric outlet obstruction. A gastrojejunostomy was carried out. The patient was asymptomatic for 2 months following which the patient presented with features of jejunojejunal intussusception confirmed on CECT, which was managed conservatively. The patient remains asymptomatic on follow-up for the past 9 months. Our experience reveals that although reports of such complications following Frey's procedure are rare, gastric outlet obstruction and intussusception can occur following Frey's procedure, and hence, the surgeon should have an index of suspicion in patients with atypical presentation.

Objectives: Comparison of Helicobacter pylori eradication rates, side effects, compliance, cost, and ulcer recurrence of sequential therapy (ST) with that of concomitant therapy (CT) in patients with perforated duodenal ulcer following simple omental patch closure. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with perforated duodenal ulcer treated with simple closure and found to be H. pylori positive on three months follow-up were randomized to receive either ST or CT for H. pylori eradication. Urease test and Giemsa stain were used to assess for H. pylori eradication status. Follow-up endoscopies were done after 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year to evaluate the ulcer recurrence. Results: H. pylori eradication rates were similar in ST and CT groups on intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (71.43% vs 81.80%,P = 0.40). Similar eradication rates were also found in per-protocol (PP) analysis (86.20% vs 90%,P = 0.71). Ulcer recurrence rate in ST groups and CT groups at 3 months (17.14% vs 6.06%,P = 0.26), 6 months (22.86% vs 9.09%,P = 0.19), and at 1 year (25.71% vs 15.15%,P = 0.37) of follow-up was also similar by ITT analysis. Compliance and side effects to therapies were comparable between the groups. The most common side effects were diarrhoea and metallic taste in ST and CT groups, respectively. A complete course of ST costs Indian Rupees (INR) 570.00, whereas CT costs INR 1080.00. Conclusion: H. pylori eradication rates, side effects, compliance, cost, and ulcer recurrences were similar between the two groups. The ST was more economical compared with CT.

Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy has a role in minimizing the complications of peptic ulcer disease, namely, bleeding, perforation, and obstruction. However, the precise role of H. pylori eradication therapy in the complicated ulcers remains inconclusive, especially in perforation and gastric outlet obstruction. The prevalence of H. pylori in peptic ulcer bleeding patients has been widely underestimated owing to the differences in diagnostic tests and patient characteristics, and hence, it is recommended that an initial negative test should be followed up by a delayed repeat testing to rule out false negativity. It is well established now that eradication of H. pylori in patients with bleeding ulcers reduces rebleeding and ulcer recurrence. Multiple studies have attributed high recurrence rates of duodenal ulcer following simple closure to a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Eradication therapy decreases the recurrence rate of perforated ulcers, thus justifying the role of H. pylori eradication therapy following the primary surgical management of perforated ulcers. The role of H. pylori in duodenal ulcer with gastric outlet obstruction is yet to be evaluated clearly. There are some reports of resolution of gastric outlet obstruction following therapy for H. pylori, obviating the need for surgery. Clarithromycin-containing regimens are recommended as first-line in areas of low resistance, whereas bismuth-containing quadruple therapy is the first-line empirical treatment in areas of high clarithromycin resistance. Treatment of H. pylori is beneficial in most of the patients with complicated peptic ulcer disease, especially in reducing recurrence of ulcer with or without complications.

Pancreatic duct disruption may follow acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery, and trauma. Diagnosis in these patients is usually made by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticogram or secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticogram. We report five cases where pancreatic duct disruption was diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Five patients with acute pancreatitis were studied; three were secondary to alcohol and two were posttraumatic. Three patients developed pancreatic ascites, one developed pancreatico-pleural effusion, and the other had pancreatic pseudocyst. CECT of the abdomen revealed pancreatic ductal injury in all the patients. In one patient with pancreatic ascites, multiple peripancreatic collections and dilated and disrupted pancreatic duct communicating with the peritoneal cavity were noted. The patient of traumatic pancreatitis had a fracture of the head of the pancreas, with peripancreatic collection communicating with the main pancreatic duct (MPD). In the other traumatic pancreatitis, there was a pseudocyst near the head of pancreas communicating with the MPD. CECT can provide a comprehensive assessment in acute pancreatitis including duct integrity, type and location of pancreatic ductal injury and can be an effective noninvasive alternative imaging modality in diagnosing pancreatic duct disruption.

Pseudoaneurysm is a rare but a potentially fatal complication associated with chronic pancreatitis. The presence of concomitant aneurysms has been reported rarely and poses a therapeutic challenge owing to the technical difficulty in accessing the distal aneurysm by endovascular means and increased chances of rupture and bleeding. Here, we report an unusual presentation of simultaneous occurrence of two pseudoaneurysms on the splenic artery (SA). A 50-year-old male, a known case of chronic pancreatitis, presented with acute abdomen and a pulsating epigastric lump. A diagnosis of double pseudoaneurysm of SA with a concomitant pseudocyst was made based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and was confirmed by angiography. The endovascular coil embolization by the standard sandwich-technique was expected to increase the risk of expansion and rupture of the distal pseudoaneurysm, and hence was managed by adapting a modified endovascular technique, following which patient made uneventful recovery. Double pseudoaneurysm of SA associated with chronic pancreatitis is an unusual presentation. Conventional endovascular treatment used for single aneurysm may not be feasible in the presence of two aneurysms, and it needs to be tailored according to the physical site, size, and the anatomy of the vasculature associated with the aneurysms.

Cystic lymphangioma is a paediatric benign tumour, occurs commonly in head and neck region. Adult intraabdominal lymphangiomas are uncommon and only few cases of lesser sac cystic lymphangioma are reported in the literature. We present a case of lesser sac cystic lymphangioma in a 26-year-old lady who presented with features of gastric outlet obstruction. Clinical examination revealed a 10x10 cm firm, non tender, mobile intraabdominal lump in the epigastrium. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed possible external compression at the body of the stomach. Ultrasound demonstrated a multicystic lesion, with internal echoes in one locule. CECT showed a large multiloculated cystic lesion with hyper-dense content in the lesser sac extending up to the left lobe of the liver and indenting the stomach, lesser sac, and upper border of pancreas. On surgical exploration, a 10X8 cm multi cystic lesion with clear fluid was found in the lesser sac very close to the lesser curvature of stomach. Histopathological examination of the excised lesion showed features of cystic lymphangioma. Though very rare, intraabdominal cystic lymphangiomas should be considered in all atypical cases of gastric outlet obstruction. A reasonable knowledge about these benign lesions will aid in establishing the diagnosis and surgical management.

The Lion Optimization algorithm (LOA) and discrete Hopfield neural network (DHNN) are broadly employed for solving various complex optimization problems. Specifically, the Lion Optimization algorithm (LOA) is a new iterative and robust nature-inspired swarm metaheuristic algorithm, commonly utilised as a dynamic approach to improve the learning phase and convergence of the neural network. In this paper, a Hybrid Modified Lion Optimisation algorithm (LOA) with discrete Hopfield neural network (DHNN) is proposed for Boolean Satisfiability programming with different complexities. The powerful operators in LOA can be leveraged to reduce the computational burden in DHNN. The findings manifest the performance of the hybrid DHNN model in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, convergence rate, robustness, and computational time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to find the antimicrobial activity of hemolymph of Macrobrachium rosenbergii and to evaluate the antimicrobial compounds. The highest inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus vulgaris and Klebsiella pneumonia (12 mm) and antifungal activity was observed only against Fusarium moniliforme (11 mm). Antimicrobial peptide was characterized in molecular size ranging from 22 to 91KDa with antimicrobial activity against various infectious pathogens. Hemolymph plays a vital role in the disease prevention in crustaceans and there is no report on antimicrobial activities of the prawn M. rosenbergii.

Along with corticosteroids, immunosuppressant drugs are mainstays of disease-modifying therapy for myasthenia gravis (MG). However, their efficacies and optimum use are unclear. We identified seven randomised controlled trials (ACT) of immunosuppressants in generalised MG that qualified for Cochrane Review: (1) azathioprine plus initial prednisolone versus prednisolone; (2) azathioprine plus prednisolone versus prednisolone plus placebo; (3) ciclosporin versus placebo (4) ciclosporin plus prednisolone versus prednisolone plus placebo; (5) cyclophosphamide plus prednisolone versus prednisolone plus placebo; (6) mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) alone or plus either ciclosporin or prednisolone versus placebo alone or plus either ciclosporin or prednisolone; (7) tacrolimus plus corticosteroids with or without plasma exchange versus corticosteroids with or without plasma exchange. All trials were small (14 to 41 participants) and their designs heterogeneous. The ACT evidence, albeit limited, was that ciclosporin (alone or with corticosteroids) or cyclophosphamide (with corticosteroids) improved MG significantly within 1 year compared with placebo. There was no clear evidence of benefit for azathioprine, MMF, or tacrolimus within 1 year. Larger, better-designed, longer trials are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome (BVVL) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by progressive pontobulbar palsy associated with sensorineural deafness. Fifty-eight cases have been reported in just over 100 years. The female to male ratio is approximately 3:1. The age of onset of the initial symptom varies from infancy to the third decade. The syndrome most frequently presents with sensorineural deafness, which is usually progressive and severe. Lower cranial nerve involvement and lower and upper motor neuron limb signs are common neurological features. Other features include respiratory compromise (the most frequent non-neurological finding), limb weakness, slurring of speech, facial weakness, and neck and shoulder weakness. Optic atrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, macular hyperpigmentation, autonomic dysfunction, epilepsy may occur. The etiopathogenesis of the condition remains elusive. Approximately 50% of cases are familial, of which autosomal recessive is suggested. The remaining cases are sporadic. The diagnosis is usually based on the clinical presentation. Investigations (neurophysiological studies, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, muscle biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid examination) are done to exclude other causes or to confirm the clinical findings. The differential diagnoses include the Fazio-Londe syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Nathalie syndrome, Boltshauser syndrome and Madras motor neuron disease. Treatment with steroids or intravenous immunoglobulin may result in temporary stabilization of the syndrome. However, the mainstays of management are supportive and symptomatic treatment, in particular assisted ventilation and maintenance of nutrition via gastrostomy. The clinical course of BVVL is variable and includes gradual deterioration (almost half of cases), gradual deterioration with stable periods in between (a third of cases) and deterioration with abrupt periods of worsening (just under a fifth of cases). After the initial presentation, one third of patients survive for ten years or longer.

The article examines the incidence of leptospirosis in lioness using urine and serum samples collected from a lioness attached to the Aringar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Tamil Nadu in India. From the urine sample, genomic DNA was isolated using QIA amp DNA mini kit, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using leptospira specific primers.

ABSTRACT Objective: This study was conducted to assess the serum 25-hydroxy (OH) vitamin D levels in patients with breast cancer compared to healthy controls and to identify its association with aggressive breast cancer phenotypes. Materials and methods: Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels of 78 breast cancer patients and 78 matched healthy controls were estimated using ELISA. The cases and controls were matched with respect to age, menopausal status, parity, weight, height and co-morbidities. Prognostic factors like grade of tumour, hormone receptor status, HER2 neu status and lymphovascular invasion were compared with 25-OH vitamin D levels. Results: The mean serum 25-OH vitamin D levels of cases were significantly lower compared to the controls (22.33 ± 8.19 vs. 37.41 ± 12.9 ng/mL; p = 0.0001). Patients with higher grades of tumour, non-luminal types of breast cancer and breast cancers with estrogen receptor negativity had significantly lower serum 25-OH vitamin D levels than their opposing groups. Patients with excellent and good Nottingham's prognostic Index (NPI) had significantly higher serum 25-OH vitamin D levels than the moderate and poor NPI groups. Conclusion: Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients have significantly lower serum 25-OH vitamin D levels than healthy controls. Lower level of serum 25-OH vitamin D correlates with aggressive breast cancer phenotypes.

Background: We report our experience of patients with generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG) treated with efgartigimod, an neonatal Fc receptor antagonist, under the Early Access to Medicine Scheme (EAMS) in the UK., Methods: Data from all UK patients treated with efgartigimod under the EAMS July 2022 to July 2023 were collected retrospectively. Efgartigimod was administered as per the ADAPT protocol (consisting of a treatment cycle of four infusions at weekly intervals with further cycles given according to clinical need)., Results: 48 patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive gMG were treated in 12 centres. Most (75%) were female and most had a disease duration of over 10 years. The average MG-Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score at baseline was 11.2. Most (72.9%) patients had undergone thymectomy. 77.0% were taking prednisolone at baseline. All patients had used non-steroidal immunosuppressant treatments, the average number tried was 2.6 (range 1-6). 51% had received rituximab. 54.2% of patients required regular intravenous immunoglobulin/plasma exchange.75% of patients had a mean reduction in the MG-ADL of≥2 points in the first cycle and this remained stable throughout the study. The mean intracycle reduction in the MG-ADL score in the first, second, third and fourth cycles were -4.6 to -3.9, -3.4 and -4.2, respectively. Side effects were generally mild. No rescue treatments were required. At the end of the study, 96% of patients remained on efgartigimod., Conclusion: Efgartigimod is a safe and effective treatment for patients with refractory, treatment-resistant gMG., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)