Rajesh Varma
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5017 research outputs found
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The new Dysfunctional Personality Model of the Anxiety Matrix (DPM-AM): “Neurotic Personality Disorder” (NPD)
No full textBackground and objectives: According to the PICI model, second edition, the personality disorders of the neurotic area are six (anxious, phobic, obsessive, somatic, avoidant, and manic) and the diagnosis of the psychopathological disorder is determined on the basis of the persistence of certain dysfunctional traits present in the personality framework. However, on the basis of clinical experience and through the application of IPM/PICI, Deca, PDM, PHEM, and PPP-DNA models (including PF-SPEM and NDAM), it was found that all the disorders of the neurotic area had in common the anxiety traits and that the symptoms of the six different disorders were often present in comorbidity. This assumption led to the hypothesis that there was a different and better way to group them into a single, all-encompassing category: “neurotic personality disorder”. This research aims to demonstrate whether or not
<td height="20" class="xl66" align="right" width="130" style="height:15.0pt;
width:98pt">9484147895 the use of this hypothetical new nosographic construct is useful.Materials and methods: Individual clinical interview, consisting of the amnestic collection and administration of the PICI-2TA (Perrotta Integrative Clinical Interviews, version 2-TA), PAD-Q (Perrotta Affective Dependency Questionnaire), PSM-1 (Perrotta Sexual Matrix) and PDM-Q (Perrotta Defence Mechanisms Questionnaire), to each group of population.Result: Of the selected sample of 326 subjects, 318 were eligible because they met the inclusive criteria. The three male groups, subdivided by age (18-36, 37-54, 55-72), completely resolved their neurotic symptoms in 86.7% (13/15), 87.5% (7/8) and 60% (3/5), for a partial total of 78.1% (23/28), while the remaining 21.9% (5/28) declared to have benefited from the PPP-DNA protocol with an attenuation of at least 50% of their neurotic symptoms. The three female groups, subdivided according to age (18-36, 37-54, 55-72), completely resolved their neurotic symptoms in 93.3% (154/165), 95% (57/60), and 92.3% (60/65), for a partial total of 93.5% (271/290), while the remaining 6.5% (19/290) declared to have benefited from the PPP-DNA protocol with at least a 50% attenuation of their neurotic symptoms. Conclusion: The PPP-DNA protocol is effective for 85.8% (with a greater prevalence of effectiveness in the female population) in the resolution of neurotic symptoms of anxious, phobic, somatic, avoidant, obsessive, and manic nature, both with the previous wording and with the new nosographic hypothesis “neurotic personality disorder”, as it does not represent a new psychopathological construct but only a different way of grouping disorders of cluster A (neurotic) to avoid that the absorptions do not take into account important dysfunctional traits that are instead at the base of those disorders and therefore does not affect in any case the exact diagnosis of the dysfunctional personality profile.</p
Diencephalic storm in trauma patients: Is it really that rare
No full textIntroduction: Diencephalic storm is characterized by extreme episodic catecholamine release in the presence of a stressor and it is usually refractory to standard antihypertensives. The treatment of choice during the crisis is propofol and the best preventative measure is to remove the stressor (i.e. ventilator). Case presentation: A 32-year-old male sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burn to 25 percent of the body surface area that included a severe inhalation component. The patient was admitted to the Burn Intensive Care Unit at the Arnold Luterman Regional Burn Center in Mobile, AL. The patient had frequent episodes (3-5 per day) of severe agitation that were accompanied by extreme tachycardia of > 200 beats per minute and hypertension (280/140). The inciting event was often endotracheal suctioning, but less noxious stimulation also resulted in similar episodes. During these episodes, the patient had significantly elevated catecholamine levels that improved after extubation. The patient’s symptoms were refractor to standard antihypertensives but immediately resolved when given propofol. Further episodes of the diencephalic storm were treated successfully with propofol. Once the patient was removed from mechanical ventilation, there were no further episodes. Conclusion: Diencephalic Storm may be difficult to diagnose due to a lack of familiarity with this rare entity. Any patient with severe agitation combined with the effects of episodic large catecholamine surges should be considered to have Diencephalic Storm. The standard immediate treatment is propofol due to the lack of responsiveness of standard antihypertensives and the removal of the stressor. </p
Exome sequencing reveals a homozygous frameshift variant in CAPN3 in a Tunisian patient with a neuromuscular disorder
No full textMuscular dystrophy (MD) is a heterogeneous group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. Specific signs and symptoms begin at different ages and in different muscle groups, depending on the type of muscular dystrophy. We report here a case of a Tunisian patient suffering from a neuromuscular disorder, highly suspicious of a Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD). Exome Sequencing revealed a one-base deletion variant in exon 4 of the CAPN3 gene. CAPN3 is associated with a recessive form of LGMD, also known as Muscular Dystrophy, Limb-Girdle, Type 2a (LGMD2A). The variant was shown to segregate with the disease in the family. The identification of the molecular defect in this family provided a rapid genotyping for the sister and an accurate diagnosis for the patient, allowing appropriate clinical management at an early stage of the disease.</p
Machine learning characterization of a novel panel for metastatic prediction in breast cancer
No full textMetastasis is one of the most challenging problems in cancer diagnosis and treatment, as causal factors have yet to be fully disentangled. Prediction of the metastatic status of breast cancer is important for informing treatment protocols and reducing mortality. However, the systems biology behind metastasis is complex and driven by a variety of interacting factors. Furthermore, the prediction of cancer metastasis is a challenging task due to the variation in parameters and conditions specific to individual patients and mutation subtypes.In this paper, we apply tree-based machine learning algorithms for gene expression data analysis in the estimation of metastatic potentials within a group of 490 breast cancer patients. Tree-based machine learning algorithms including decision trees, gradient boosting, and extremely randomized trees are used to assess the variable importance of different genes in breast cancer metastasis.ighly accurate values were obtained from all three algorithms, with the gradient boosting method having the highest accuracy at 0.8901. The most significant ten genetic variables and fifteen gene functions in metastatic progression were identified. Respective importance scores and biological functions were also cataloged. Key genes in metastatic breast cancer progression include but are not limited to CD8, PB1, and THP-1.</p
A multicomponent program improved cognitive and physical functions of older adults with lower GDS values
No full textBackground: MCI is an intermediate stage between cognitive impairment status and persons with MCI are at high risk of developing AD. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a multicomponent program (aerobic, resistance exercises, cognitive training, music, myofascial release exercises, acupoint stimulation, and oral gymnastics) on the cognitive and physical functions of older adults in community dwellers and it is to clarify which measurement factors are predictive to reverse MCI to normal.Results: In this study, we measured cognitive functions, physical functions, and the diagnosis of MCI. We assessed factors before (pre-test), and after treatment of 12 training sessions (post-test). The participants were divided into two groups (Improve group and the Non-Improve group). The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the differences between pre-and post-test and revealed significant differences in the UWS (p < 0.05), WM (p < 0.01), SDST (p < 0.01), and MMSE (p < 0.01). Moreover, binomial logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of the Improved group with the GDS-15 (Odds ratio, 0.587; 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI], 0.309-0.791; p = 0.003) and MMSE (Odds ratio, 0.494; 95 % CI, 0.360-0.957, p = 0.033). Conclusion: This study indicated that this program improved physical and cognitive functions in those who were not prone to depression before treatment and suggests that the GDS measurement might be able to predict the intervention effects of a multicomponent program.</p
Assessment of Farmers’ Perceptions on Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation Techniques in Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria
No full textIn Zing LGA of Taraba State, the study evaluated farmers’ perceptions of soil erosion and their soil conservation practices. To gather information for the study from the farmers and the farmland, field observation, informal interviews, and the use of research instruments including questionnaires and remotely sensed imageries were all used. These data were analyzed in a Windows and GIS context using SPSS 23. The results indicate that 68% of respondents are men, while 32% are women farmers, 71% of whom are married and 50% of them fall within the 41–50 age range. Additionally, 70% of farmers have large families with a size range of 9 to 12 individuals, and 86% of farmers are literate. High incomes are generated by the farmers. According to the study, 89.1% of farmers have farms on steep to mild slopes and do not see soil erosion as a specific issue on their property. However, because they believed that the loss of arable land was the primary consequence of soil erosion, they kept an eye out for physical indicators (such as soil color) on their farms. Geographically, soil erosion is more likely to occur in the eastern to the north-eastern portion of the Zing LGA. Terracing, shaping ridges, along contours, and mulching are soil conservation techniques that have been employed for a long time and are advised to be continue. </p
High dose Levothyroxine in combination with transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of severe resistant subthreshold rapid cycling bipolar disorder; A case report
No full textBipolar Disorder (BD) is a common psychiatric condition. There is an overall agreement across treatment guidelines of BD type I and BD type II however, there is far less certainty regarding the treatment of subthreshold presentations including Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder. We present a patient with treatment-resistant rapid cycling Bipolar Disorder type I who deteriorated on Ketamine treatment but reached full remission with repetitive Transcranial magnetic stimulation, High Dose Levothyroxine, Lurasidone and Lithium Carbonate. This case highlights the previously demonstrated safety and effectiveness of the combined protocol of High Dose Levothyroxine and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for this population. </p
Assessment of diastase levels in different floral honey from Oromia region, Ethiopia
No full textDiastase is an enzyme that is found naturally in honey and degrades over time, especially when exposed to heat. Diastase can be used to indicate the age and exposure of honey to heat. However, they play a very significant role in honey quality. This study aimed to assess the diastase levels of different floral honey in potential areas of the Oromia region. In this study diastase activity, free acidity, and pH contents of different floral kinds of honey of potential areas in the Oromia region of Ethiopia were investigated based on the IHC- 2009- method. The honey pollen spectra were also characterized. When compared to other flora honey collected from the study area, the diastase activity of Erica arborea honey revealed significantly different (p < 0.05). It ranged from 4.61 ± 1.50 to 12.75 ± 4.78 Schade unit. The results of the pH value and free acidity analyses test demonstrated that the honey samples used in this investigation were fresh which ranged from 3.22 ± 0.13 to 4.17 ± 0.97 and 22.43 ± 6.37 to 35.10 ± 10.51 meq/kg honey, respectively. Honey bees’ geographical race, location and harvesting time affected diastase activities. However, it was not possible to identify the real factor influencing its diastase activities which needs further study at different agroecologies for different floral kinds of honey of the country. </p
Development of a management guidewheel for vulvar cancer
No full textIsmail’s Cancer Vulva Management Guidewheel is designed to enable physicians to refer to a quick and comprehensive reference to recommendations on the management of vulvar cancer at various stages. The wheel consists of patient characteristics, including the FIGO stage and the possible treatment modalities available along with alternatives. We compared guidelines on the management of vulvar cancer by international health organizations including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR), the British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the Japanese Society of Gynecologic Oncology (JSGO), the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). Their respective recommendations have been compared and carefully integrated on the guidewheel.</p
A Concordance study of CT densitometry with DXA densitometry
No full textOsteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength resulting in an increased risk of fracture [1]. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) is responsible for 60-90% of the strength of bone [1] and the current standard of assessment is by Dual-energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). DXA generates T-scores of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, or hip by calculating the difference between the individual’s BMD and the population mean, divided by the standard deviation of the reference population. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies osteoporosis at a T-score of or below -2.5.</p