Search

Objective: To evaluate the results of a single stage composite cleft septorhinoplasty procedure ("The Gujrat Technique") to correct the exaggerated cleft nose deformity after completion of nasal growth in an adult patient cohort. Methods: Adult patients with a residual unilateral cleft nasal deformity were deemed eligible for the proposed "Gujrat Technique". Over a 10-year period (2007–2017), 96 adult patients underwent this composite cleft septorhinoplasty as a single stage operation. Post-operative nasal symmetry evaluation was undertaken using the validated computer program 'SymNose'. Functional outcome and patient satisfaction were assessed using Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale and Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) questionnaires respectively. Various statistical analysis methods were used to validate the obtained results. Results: Due to poor compliance with follow-up, post-operative assessments were undertaken in only 32 patients. The single group study design using the non-parametric matching pairs Wilcoxon Sign test (p < 0.001) showed overall good to excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes and higher scores of the digital SymNose grading system. There was a significant improvement in ROE scores (from 26.4 ± 2.9 to 85.9 ± 4.7, p < 0.001). There were no major complications or revisions needed in our series. Conclusion: The individual components of "The Gujrat Technique" are not novel but their combination in this adult unilateral cleft rhinoplasty cohort has demonstrated a high patient satisfaction with its aesthetic appeal and functional versatility. In the background of limited resources and unpredictable patient follow up, the simplicity, reproducibility and cost effectiveness of this technique make it a practical reconstructive option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the charging status of electric vehicles by implementing two different charging topologies and demonstrates the comparison of power factor corrector (PFC) and Boost Cascaded by Buck-Boost (BoCBB) topologies. The former topology charger operates in boost mode, while the latter topology charger can operate in both modes (buck and boost) with a wide range of output voltage ranging from 30 V to 500 V. Moreover, using the harmonic modulation technique, former topology charger operation results in reduced total harmonic distortion, more efficiency, and high input power quality than the latter one. They are also evaluated on the basis of charging time, and by using PFC topology, the battery is charged to 5% in 10 min, while by using BoCBB the battery is charged to 3% in 10 min. The model's performance is verified by using MATLAB-Simulink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The introduction of antibiotic therapy has significantly altered the severe complications associated with pneumonia during pregnancy. Prior to the antibiotics used, preterm labor and maternal mortality were common outcomes of pneumonia. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the factors contributing to the rising incidence of pneumonia during pregnancy. Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted on 36 pneumonia cases among 3468 deliveries investigated in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lahore - Pakistan from January 2019 to August 2021. Various risk factors for the development of pneumonia during pregnancy included: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, No pathogen identified, Streptococcus pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii, Haemophilus influenzae, Influenza A, and Inadequate microbiologic evaluation. Medical and obstetric complications of each patient were evaluated and recorded. Results: The overall mean age of 36 pneumonia cases was 27.8±6.84 years with an age range 20 to 45 years. The incidence of pathogens responsible for pneumonia such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, No pathogen identified, Streptococcus pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii, Haemophilus influenzae, Influenza A, and Inadequate microbiologic evaluation was 5.6% (n=2), 38.9% (n=14), 19.4% (n=7), 5.6% (n=2), 11.1% (n=4), 5.6% (n=2), and 8.3% (n=5) respectively. The incidence of different medical complications such as atrial fibrillation, respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation, empyema, and bacteremia was 5.6% (n=2), 22.2% (n=8), 8.3% (n=3), and 13.9% (n=5) respectively. Preterm delivery and labor were the obstetric complications found in 38.9% (n=14) and 44.4% (n=16) respectively. Conclusion: Streptococcus pneumonia was the most prevalent risk factor for pneumonia development during pregnancy. Respiratory failure was the major medical condition found in pneumonia patients. Despite advanced antimicrobial, tocolytic, and supportive treatments, medical and obstetric complications still occur regularly. Maternal conditions such as cystic fibrosis and immunodeficiency syndrome are related to obstetric complications like preterm delivery and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan is compulsory in Islam. The objective of study was to explore the pregnant women's beliefs and practices about fasting in Ramadan during pregnancy. Material & Methods: This explorative study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, after Ramadan from September 2016 to November 2016. 150 females constituted our sample size, using convenient sampling technique. Women who have undergone pregnancy in last Ramadan was the inclusion criteria. Non-muslim females were excluded. Demographic variables were age, parity, Gestational age, level of education, ethnicity and SES. Research variables were whether they fast during Ramadan, number of days they fast, experiences during the fasting, beliefs of fasting during pregnancy & harm of fasting. Chi-square test was used to analyze the association between different variables and fasting during pregnancy with p-value <0.005 considering statistically significant. Results: Out of a total of 150 women, 54% fast during pregnancy in Ramadan. 38% believed fasting as 'essential' during pregnancy. 70% who fast during pregnancy think fasting during pregnancy has no harm to themselves and their children. When fasting was cross tabulated with gestational age, level of education and ethnicity the results were found to be statistically significant (P-value <0.05). Conclusion: Our Muslim women knows not much about the physiological aspects of fasting during pregnancy. After Identifying their beliefs and practices health provider need to help them out in a better way of safety of fasting during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the results of a single stage composite cleft septorhinoplasty procedure ("The Gujrat Technique") to correct the exaggerated cleft nose deformity after completion of nasal growth in an adult patient cohort., Methods: Adult patients with a residual unilateral cleft nasal deformity were deemed eligible for the proposed "Gujrat Technique". Over a 10-year period (2007-2017), 96 adult patients underwent this composite cleft septorhinoplasty as a single stage operation. Post-operative nasal symmetry evaluation was undertaken using the validated computer program 'SymNose'. Functional outcome and patient satisfaction were assessed using Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale and Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) questionnaires respectively. Various statistical analysis methods were used to validate the obtained results., Results: Due to poor compliance with follow-up, post-operative assessments were undertaken in only 32 patients. The single group study design using the non-parametric matching pairs Wilcoxon Sign test (p < 0.001) showed overall good to excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes and higher scores of the digital SymNose grading system. There was a significant improvement in ROE scores (from 26.4 ± 2.9 to 85.9 ± 4.7, p < 0.001). There were no major complications or revisions needed in our series., Conclusion: The individual components of "The Gujrat Technique" are not novel but their combination in this adult unilateral cleft rhinoplasty cohort has demonstrated a high patient satisfaction with its aesthetic appeal and functional versatility. In the background of limited resources and unpredictable patient follow up, the simplicity, reproducibility and cost effectiveness of this technique make it a practical reconstructive option.