COVID-19 Serostatus Does Not Affect the Intrauterine Transfer of Micronutrients and Fatty Acids or Maternal-fetal Lymphocyte Cell Composition: An Observational Study.

Objective:  Studies on the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pregnant mothers and their newborns, specifically in relation to their micronutrient status, fatty acids (FAs), and inflammatory status are sparse. We hypothesized that COVID-19 infection would adversely affect the transfer of nutrients, and FAs from mothers to their fetuses via the umbilical cord and maternal-fetal distribution of inflammatory cells. This study aimed to determine the effect of COVID-19 on micronutrients, inflammatory markers, and FAs profiles in pregnant mothers and their newborns' cord blood.

Overweight/obesity, pre-diabetes, diabetes and its association with hypertension and other factors among rural adults (≥18 years) in India.

Background: Non-communicable diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted in 10 Indian states using multi-stage random sampling procedures. Information was collected on socio-economic and demographic particulars, anthropometric measurements such as height, weight and waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure was measured.

Topography and Choroidal Thickness Measurement in Healthy Asian Indian Subjects using RTVue XR 100 Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose: The purpose was to study the choroidal thickness and its profile, derived from different point locations in healthy Asian Indian subjects using RTVue XR 100 optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to determine its correlation with age, refractive error, and axial length.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 eyes of 150 healthy subjects, with no ocular pathology, were scanned in a single session, using a line scan protocol of RTVue XR 100 OCT. Choroidal thickness was measured at the subfoveal region, and six measurements were obtained on either side of the fovea (temporal and nasal) at 500 μm interval apart, up to 3000 μm.

Differential Expression of SRY-Related HMG-Box Transcription Factor 2, Oligodendrocyte Lineage Transcription Factor 2, and Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 1 in Serum-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Implications for Mithramycin Sensitivity and Targeted Therapy in High-Grade Glioma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of glioma and is often resistant to traditional therapies. Evidence suggests that glioma stem cells (GSCs) contribute to this resistance. Mithramycin (Mit-A) targets GSCs and exhibits antitumor activity in GBM by affecting transcriptional targets such as SRY-related HMG-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2), oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 (OLIG2), and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1).

Del Nido cardioplegia versus blood cardioplegia in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Purpose: The del Nido cardioplegia (DC) has been extensively used in congenital heart surgery for over two decades and is becoming popular in adult cardiac surgery. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of DC, compared to conventional blood cardioplegia (BC), in adult patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: This metachronous study included a total of 2330 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG.

Exploring urinary extracellular vesicles for organ transplant monitoring: A comprehensive study for detection of allograft dysfunction using immune-specific markers.

Background: Allograft dysfunction (AGD) is a common complication following solid organ transplantation (SOT). This study leverages the potential of urinary extracellular vesicles (UEVs) for the non-invasive detection of AGD.

Aim: We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of T-cell and B-cell markers characteristic of T-cell-mediated and antibody-mediated rejection in UEV-mRNA using renal transplantation as a model.

Five-year outcomes of off and on-pump CABG: Insights from PROMOTE Patency Trial.

Background: There are limited studies reporting follow-up outcome data comparing of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) with on-pump (ONCAB) technique. The aim of the study was to report the 5-year clinical outcomes of OPCAB and ONCAB in a post hoc analysis of the PROMOTE patency trial.

Methods: From March 2016 through March 2017, a total of 321 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomised to either the off-pump or the on-pump technique.

Assessment of virgin coconut oil in a balanced diet on indicators of cardiovascular health in non-obese volunteers: A human metabolic study.

Background And Aims: Consumption of coconut oil is implicated in cardiovascular disease risk. On the contrary, virgin coconut oil (VCO) is believed to offer better health benefits, however, the evidence to support such claims is lacking, particularly in humans. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the impact of VCO in a balanced diet on HDL-C and some of the anthropometric and biochemical parameters associated with human cardiovascular health before and after the feeding experiment.

Repeatability of Choroidal Thickness Measurements in Healthy Subjects using RTVue XR Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose: To determine the intrasession, intraobserver, interobserver, and repeatability of choroidal thickness measurements in the healthy subjects imaged on enhanced depth imaging system of RTVue XR spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, seventy eyes of 70 healthy volunteers with no known ocular disease were imaged using high-density scanning protocol of RTVue XR OCT. In a single imaging session, three sequential 12 mm macular-enhanced depth horizontal line scans were obtained through the fovea.

Female gender does not have any significant impact on the early postoperative outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting: a propensity-matched analysis.

Purpose: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common cardiac surgical procedure performed in India. There are fundamental differences between males and females in the incidence and responses of the body to various diseases. These differences are noticeable, more so in conditions relating to cardiovascular health, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD).

Diagnostic Values of Laboratory Biomarkers in Predicting a Severe Course of COVID-19 on Hospital Admission.

Objective: We intend to identify differences in the clinicodemographic and laboratory findings of COVID-19 patients to predict disease severity and outcome on admission.

Methods: This single-centred retrospective study retrieved laboratory and clinical data from 350 COVID-19 patients on admission, represented as frequency tables. A multivariate regression model was used to assess the statistically significant association between the explanatory variables and COVID-19 infection outcomes, where adjusted odds ratio (AOR), value, and 95% CI were used for testing significance.

Anomalous Marginal Insertion of Umbilical Cord in Placentas of COVID-19-Affected Pregnant Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim Study the effect of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), on the placenta and in turn study its effects on pregnancy and newborn outcomes. Methods In this cross-sectional study, which was conducted in the term pregnant women who underwent delivery, their placentas were collected after delivery along with the mothers' blood and cord blood. Results Among the 212 pregnant women recruited, the prevalence of marginal cord insertion (MCI) in the placentas after delivery, was found to be 23% (n=48).

Mini Female Health Program for detection of non-communicable diseases in Women - In a urban teaching hospital in India.

Background: Prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing with women affected at an early age. The Mini Female Health Program (MFHP) is a simple screening package to detect NCDs in women.

Objective: Determine the prevalence of selected NCDs in a hospital-based outpatient setting using MFHP.

Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness Among the Stakeholders of Clinical Research at the Site: A Collaborative, Electronic-Survey Approach to Identify the Indicators of Quality.

Background: There has been a concern about the quality of clinical trials conducted in terms of data integrity, accuracy or ethical conduct. This study aimed to assess the tangible gap existing in knowledge and application of rules and guidelines among the Researcher, Research staff (RS) and Ethics Committee (EC) members - the three research stakeholders at the study sites.

Methods: A validated e-questionnaire with details for demography, role, years of experience, affiliation and questions on knowledge and understanding about their clinical research functions based on the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules 2019, including: 'Role and responsibility, Regulations, Reporting timelines, Documentation, Conflict of interest and Miscellaneous' was circulated among the seven research sites of one organization with their fourteen Institutional ECs, as part of planned annual survey.

Socio-demographic factors, overweight/obesity and nutrients associated with hypertension among rural adults (≥18 years): Findings from National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau survey.

Background: Hypertension is the leading cause of death throughout the world. The study was conducted to assess the prevalence, determinants and knowledge & practices about hypertension among rural adults in India.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 major states of India.

Significance of Adopting Nucleic Acid Amplification Technique for Blood Donor Screening in a Resource Limited Setting: A Study from a Single Centre in South India.

Nucleic acid Amplification testing (NAT) has helped improve blood safety and detect window period and Occult Hepatitis B infections (OBI) This study was aimed at determining the following in blood donors: 1. seroprevalence of HIV, HBV & HCV, malarial parasite and Syphlis 2. NAT and seroyield for HIV, HBV and HCV 3.

Energy expenditure in COVID-19 mechanically ventilated patients: A comparison of three methods of energy estimation.

Background: Indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard for measuring resting energy expenditure. Energy expenditure (EE) estimated by ventilator-derived carbon dioxide consumption (EEVCO ) has also been proposed. In the absence of IC, predictive weight-based equations have been recommended to estimate daily energy requirements.

Prevalence and Impact of Preexisting Comorbidities on Overall Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

COVID-19 risk increases with comorbidities, and the effect is magnified due to the contribution of individual and combined comorbidities to the overall clinical outcomes. We aimed to explore the influence of demographic factors, clinical manifestations, and underlying comorbidities on mortality, severity, and hospital stay in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, retrospective chart reviews were performed to identify all laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, between March 2020 and August 2020.

Exosomal PTEN as a Predictive Marker of Aggressive Gliomas.

Background: Liquid biopsies have emerged as convenient alternative diagnostic methods to invasive biopsies, by evaluating disease-specific biomarkers and monitoring the disease risk noninvasively. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a potent tumor suppressor, and its deletion/mutations are common in gliomas.

Objective: Evaluate the feasibility of non-invasive detection of PTEN and its downstream genes in serum exosomes of glioma patients.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Intraocular Pressure Rise after the Scleral Buckle Surgery for Retinal Detachment.

Purpose: To determine the incidence and risk factors for intraocular pressure (IOP) rise after the scleral buckle (SB) procedure for retinal detachment (RD).

Methods: A retrospective chart review of the medical records of patients, who underwent RD repair by SB performed by a single surgeon and had a minimum follow-up of 6 months was carried out. The outcome measures were the incidence of IOP rise in the operated eyes and the associated risk factors.

Tailoring nutrition therapy amid the COVID-19 pandemic: Does it work?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for nutrition monitoring and delivery. This study evaluates clinical and nutritional characteristics of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and investigates the relationship between nutrition delivery and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Prospective observational study of adults admitted for >24 hrs to a tertiary-care hospital during a period of 2months.

Association Between Nutrition Delivery, Modified Nutrition Risk In Critically III Score, and 28-Day Mortality.

Background: Nutrition delivery, is a key component in the management of critical illness. Traditional scoring systems are inadequate in the intensive care unit (ICU), as patients are sedated. Our study examines the associations between calorie and protein adequacy, 28-day mortality, and modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) score and identify at-risk ICU patients who may benefit more from nutrition intervention.