Contact Tracing of Healthcare Workers Exposed to COVID-19 Infection in a Tertiary-Care Hospital: Containing the Contagion.

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19 infection due to their close proximity to COVID-19-positive patients. We studied the risk stratification and positivity rate in HCWs at risk of getting COVID-19 infection as well as the possible factors responsible for their being at risk of COVID-19 infection during the study period.

Material And Methods: This prospective study was conducted after approval by the institutional ethics committee.

Impact of long duration wearing of N95 masks on cardiorespiratory system and subjective sensations of health-care workers during COVID-19 era.

Background And Aims: N95 mask being an essential element of personal protective equipment to be worn by health-care workers (HCWs) may lead to adverse effects and physiological stress as HCWs have to wear it for prolonged hours. Therefore, we planned to conduct a study in our intensive care unit staff to look for the effects of N95 masks on their health as well as to plan recommendations to ease them.

Material And Methods: We conducted this study on our intensive care unit nursing staff and HCWs.

Clinicobiochemical Parameters and Predictors of Liver Disease in Hospitalized Asian Indian Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Care Center in Northern India.

Introduction  During pregnancy, liver dysfunction is more frequent than expected and may require specialized care. For the early diagnosis, it is important to determine if changes in liver physiology may develop into liver disease. Liver disease during pregnancy may require intervention from a hepatologist for adequate monitoring of mother-fetus health outcomes.

Saroglitazar in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetic dyslipidemia: a prospective, observational, real world study.

Saroglitazar, a dual peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ agonist, approved for diabetic dyslipidemia (DD), is potential therapeutic option for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This prospective, observational, real-world study aimed to determine efficacy and safety of Saroglitazar in patients with NAFLD and DD. We included patients with DD and NAFLD who received Saroglitazar 4 mg once daily for 24 weeks.

Prevalence, overlap, and risk factors for Rome IV functional gastrointestinal disorders among college students in northern India.

Background/purpose: There is scarcity of data on prevalence, overlap, and risk factors for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) by Rome IV criteria. We evaluated these factors among medical, nursing, and humanities students.

Methods: Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire (for all FGIDs), Rome III questionnaire (for irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], functional diarrhea [FDr], and functional constipation [FC]), and questionnaires assessing demography, physical activity, anxiety, and depression were used.

Prevalence of Malnutrition in Parkinson's Disease and Correlation with Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are at a higher risk of malnutrition with the overall prevalence estimated to be 3%-60%, but there are limited data in India regarding nutritional assessment of PD.

Aim: This study aims to assess nutritional status of PD patients and correlate the disease factors and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) symptoms with nutritional status.

Materials And Methods: The PD cohort was assessed for demographic factors, nutritional assessment was done by Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) Scale, and GI symptoms were assessed by validated scales.

Early feeding after esophageal variceal band ligation in cirrhotics is safe: Randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aim: Oral feeding following variceal ligation in cirrhotics is usually delayed due to fear of rebleeding. Solid diet is usually further delayed (until 72 h) despite lack of evidence. We aimed to compare the impact of early versus delayed feeding on rebleeding following variceal ligation.

Chicken pox outbreak in the Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care hospital: Lessons learnt the hard way.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes 2 clinically and epidemiologically distinct forms of diseases. Chickenpox (varicella) is the disease that results from primary infection with the VZV. Herpes zoster (HZ) results from the reactivation of VZV latently infecting the dorsal root ganglia.

Pentoxifylline in severe alcoholic hepatitis: a prospective, randomised trial.

Background: Role of corticosteroids in treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) is controversial. Pentoxifylline (PTX), an inhibitor of TNF, has also been shown to decrease short term mortality in SAH. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PTX on short term mortality, renal and hepatic functions in patients with SAH.

Corticosteroid plus pentoxifylline is not better than corticosteroid alone for improving survival in severe alcoholic hepatitis (COPE trial).

Background: Corticosteroids and pentoxifylline reduce short-term mortality in severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH), but not to the extent desired. Combining both drugs may lead to better survival, but has not yet been studied.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of corticosteroids plus pentoxifylline with that of corticosteroids alone in improving survival of SAH patients.

Rifaximin improves psychometric performance and health-related quality of life in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (the RIME Trial).

Objectives: Cirrhotics with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) have a poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Treatment of MHE is still evolving. The aim of this double-blind randomized pilot study was to assess the efficacy of rifaximin in improving neuropsychometric (NP) test performance and HRQOL in patients with MHE.

Acanthamoeba encephalitis.

Central nervous system infection with free-living amoebae is rare. We present a fatal case of Acanthamoeba encephalitis in a 63-year-old female from India where acanthamoebae were demonstrated and cultured from CSF. In spite of treatment with amphotericin B, fluconazole and rifampicin the patient did not survive.

Urinary tract infections-microbial virulence determinants and reactive oxygen species.

The human urinary tract is able to combat with the microbial invasion under normal circumstances. To cause urinary tract infection the organism has to evade the host defense mechanisms by possessing distinct properties which contribute to the virulence of the organism hence called virulence determinants Ninety percent of uncomplicated urinary tract infections are caused by Escherichia coli, hence the knowledge of the virulence determinants of this organism can be extrapolated to other uropathogenic organism as well. Virulence determinants of uropathogenic E.

Clinical and anthropometric profile of children with celiac disease in Punjab (North India).

This prospective study was carried out to evaluate the clinical and anthropometric profile of 71 children confirmed to have celiac disease on the basis of clinical features, duodenal biopsy and unequivocal improvement on gluten-free diet. Serological tests were performed in 35 cases. The patients were divided into three age groups <5 years, 5-10 years, and >10 years as per the age of presentation to the hospital.

Impact of ranitidine on prognosis after simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcer.

Aim: This randomized controlled study was carried out to evaluate the role of H2 receptor antagonists after simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcer.

Methods: A total of 192 patients who underwent simple closure for perforated duodenal ulcer were divided into two groups (A: study group and B: control group). Group A patients were treated with H2 receptor antagonists, while the patients in group B received placebo.

Microbiological quality & incidence of organisms of public health importance in food & water in Ludhiana.

Bacteriological analysis of 713 samples of various types of foods and related articles and potable water samples from different places in Ludhiana, Punjab was carried out. The highest counts ranging from 2.5 x 10(6)-7.

Ascitic fluid cholesterol in malignant and tubercular ascites.

Cholesterol was estimated in ascitic fluid of 44 patients (29 malignant and 15 tubercular). Mean ascitic cholesterol level was significantly higher in malignant ascites (89.52 mg/dl) as compared to tubercular ascites (35.

Role of zipper in the management of abdominal sepsis.

Background: Continuous peritoneal lavage, staged laparotomies and radical peritoneal debridement have been used to reduce mortality from severe abdominal sepsis. Recently, open abdomen technique using a 'zipper' with or without mesh for abdominal lavage has shown promising results.

Aims: To evaluate open abdominal technique using a zipper in patients with advanced diffuse peritonitis with impending or established multiple organ failure.