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Differentiation and Combination theories make different predictions about the order in which information is processed during categorization. Differentiation theory posits that holistic processing of a stimulus occurs before individual features are processed. According to Differentiation theory, overall similarity-based categorization is faster and less effortful compared to unidimensional categorization. In contrast, Combination theory posits that individual features are processed first and that information regarding these features must be combined during multidimensional categorization. According to Combination theory, overall similarity-based categorization is more effortful and takes more time compared to unidimensional categorization. In this study, we trained participants to learn artificial categories using classification learning and observation learning procedures. We used participants’ categorization descriptions to determine the number of stimuli dimensions used for categorization. Our results from the first three experiments show that participants who used more dimensions took more time to categorize the transfer stimuli, consistent with Combination theory. In Experiment 4, we tested the hypothesis that using more dimensions takes more time solely due to multiple eye fixations and saccades. In our study, we used visual stimuli with features that do not overlap in space. Our results show that while performing a multidimensional task, participants need more time to recall the feature-category associations learned during the experiment, making the task more effortful, as predicted by Combination theory. Further studies are needed to determine whether Combination theory applies to other types of stimuli, particularly those with spatially non-separable features.

Background Cough is a common symptom of respiratory diseases and cough intensity analysis can act as a determinant for identifying a pathological condition in the lungs. Recent advancement in the analysis of the cough sound has suggested that it has the potential to be used as a non-invasive marker for screening respiratory conditions. This study highlights the variation of the peak energy features of cough sounds in different respiratory conditions. For validation 1849 voluntary cough sounds were recorded through a mobile application from 1402 patients (both male and female). From every subject three audio recordings were collected before taking a spirometry test. Peak analysis is performed on the features extracted from cough audio signals. The comparison of these features is done against the clinical diagnosis performed by the physician after going through history, spirometry and radiology as per the standard of practice. Results The peak analysis in Asthma shows higher base distance and peak height than that of Normal because of prolonged expulsion and airways constriction. The base distance is observed high in Bronchiectasis, but peak height and prominence are less when compared with Normal due to loss of elasticity in the airways. Whereas in COPD the base distance and prominence are found to be less than Normal, Asthma and Bronchiectasis which is attributed to multiple narrowing of the glottis. Conclusion Peak analysis of cough provides inferences which can be used as descriptors to differentiate coughs related to respiratory diseases.

The wound healing effect of methanolic extract from leaves of pavetta indica 10, 15, 20% ointment preparation was evaluated by streptozotocin induced diabetic wound model in rats. Animals were induced for diabetes with streptozotocin (45 mg/kg of body weight- ip.) and treated orally with different percentage of pavetta indica ointment. The ointment showed significant (p<0.01) wound contraction, epithelialization, tensile strength and hydroxyproline content as compared to diabetic control group. The 20% ointment show more significant effects in healing. It also increase the Hydroxyproline compared with all groups ointment 15% also more significant compared to diabetic control group. Thus both 15 & 20% could serve as good wound healing agents in diabetic rats and seems to be promising for the development of phytomedicines for delayed wound healing diabetes rats and further studies need for clinical evaluation.

infection can range from asymptomatic eosinophilia to disseminated disease. Common in tropical and subtropical nations, it can lead to hyperinfection, an autoinfection increasing parasitic burden in immunocompromised. Cell-mediated immunity is important in combating parasite infection. We present a case of hyperinfection in hypogammaglobulinemia which was refractory to conventional treatment but responded to immunoglobulin administration with complete resolution indicating role of humoral immunity also.

Endocrine disorders manifest as a disturbance in the milieu of multiple organ systems. The cardiovascular system may be directly affected or alter its function to maintain the state of homeostasis. In this article, we aim to review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, clinical features and management of cardiac manifestations of various endocrine disorders.

An ideal anesthetic technique for a renal allograft recipient must ensure hemodynamic stability, enhance graft reperfusion, and provide good postoperative pain relief. Hence, a combined general and epidural anesthesia is preferred. In our clinical practice, it has been observed that in chronically ill end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, a bolus injection of epidural local anesthetics invariably necessitated the use of vasopressor agents. Such hemodynamic fluctuations may not be favorable for the graft. A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 50 ESRD adults, 18–55 years, scheduled for elective live related kidney transplantation. The patients randomly received either epidural fentanyl (50 μg) and normal saline (10 mL) or epidural fentanyl (50 μg) and bupivacaine (0.5 % ; 10 mL) followed by standardized general anesthesia. Perioperative hemodynamics and vasopressor requirements were compared with both regimens. Early graft function was assessed by the onset of diuresis after declamping, serial creatinine values, glomerular filtration rate, and 24-hour urine output estimation. In the preoperative period, statistically significant reduction in the mean arterial pressure and the cardiac index occurred in 60 % of the patients receiving epidural bupivacaine boluses. These hypotensive episodes required a therapeutic intervention prior to general anesthesia, that is, intravenous mephenteramine (3–6 mg; 9.60 ± 2.32 mg) and crystalloid infusion (189.28 ± 21.29 mL). Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, surgical blood loss, and transplanted kidney function were comparable between the groups. We concluded that the use of regional anesthetics needed to administered cautiously in renal transplant recipients to maintain hemodynamic parameters.

A 14-year-old boy of Asian origin presented with a history of bluish discolouration of the finger and toenail bed with associated mild fatiguability on exertion since early childhood. Clinical examination revealed bilaterally symmetric uniform central cyanosis with no associated clubbing. Cardiovascular and respiratory system examination was normal. Pulse oximetry revealed an oxygen saturation of 87% in all four limbs. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography showed no evidence of shunt lesions. In view of the past diagnosis of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae made at 4 years of age, a repeat cardiac catheterisation study was done, which revealed no shunt at any level. Interestingly, arterial oxygen tension of the chocolate-brown blood was normal in all the samples, suggesting the possibility of methaemoglobinaemia. Co-oximetry revealed methaemoglobin levels of 36%, confirming the diagnosis. Secondary causes were ruled out. The family was counselled about the hereditary nature of the condition.

A 52-year-old man presented with recurrent postprandial abdominal pain, sitophobia, and progressive weight loss. Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) due to subtotal occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and flush occlusion of the celiac artery (CA) was diagnosed. Retrograde recanalization of the CA by way of a collateral channel from the SMA was performed using contemporary recanalization equipment. The CA and SMA were then stented, resulting in sustained resolution of CMI-related symptoms.

Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is a rare disease. Literature about the surgical management of PM in India is sparse. Recently, there has been a surge in the number of cases of mucormycosis in association with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, igniting the interest in PM. Hence, we endeavoured to analyse our surgical experience in treating PM prior to the pandemic, in a tertiary care centre, to provide insight into this disease. Data of 10 adult patients with isolated PM, who underwent surgery between the years 2009 and 2020, and maintained in our departmental database, were retrieved and analysed.