Expert consensus and recommendations on the live attenuated hepatitis A vaccine and immunization practices in India.

While Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) vaccination in global immunization programs has shown a virtual elimination of the disease within few years of the vaccination program, changing epidemiological landscape in India underscores the need for evidence-based, updated guidance on immunization practices. In May 2024, a panel of 15 distinguished opinion leaders and an organizing committee convened for an intensive, face-to-face advisory board meeting on high burden of HAV infection among adults, increased mortality rate in adolescents, symptomatic presentation in children, and evolving landscape globally and within India. Extensive comparable deliberations on long-term follow-up data from India and data from country of origin advocated immunogenicity, tolerability, and long-term protective effects of single-dose live attenuated HAV vaccine in children.

Increased risk of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis with COVID-19 pneumonia in comparison to influenza pneumonia: insights from the National Inpatient Sample database.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), primarily a respiratory virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, induces a hypercoagulable state. Previous studies comparing the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and those with influenza pneumonia revealed a higher risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with COVID-19 pneumonia. However, these studies have not adequately accounted for the severity and acuity of the presenting viral pneumonia.

Anti-PF4 antibodies and their relationship with COVID infection.

Detecting anti-PF4 antibodies remains the golden diagnostic method for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Various lab tests detect anti-PF4 antibodies, including immunoassays and functional assays. Even with positive detection of the anti-PF4 antibody, several factors are involved in the result.

The current state of pertussis vaccination in pregnancy around the world, with recommendations for improved care: Consensus statements from the Global Pertussis Initiative.

Bordetella pertussis, which causes a respiratory disease known as pertussis ("whooping cough") remains an important global challenge, with the incidence in pertussis cases increasing in recent years. Newborns and infants are at increased risk for severe morbidity and mortality from this bacterium. Vaccination in pregnancy has become an important strategy to both passively transfer immunity as well as prevent infection in pregnant persons, who are a major source of newborn infection, thus attempting to decrease the impact of this serious disease.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in a Patient With COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Case Report on a Rare Presentation.

Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)/coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia can have a range of clinical presentations ranging from being asymptomatic to having severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a very rare presentation of COVID-19. We present the case of a 67-year-old male with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who presented to the emergency department (ED) with shortness of breath and was found to be COVID-19-positive.

Venous Thromboembolism in Metastatic Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

We report an unusual case of extensive deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in the setting of metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma. Recognition of the associated sequelae of this condition may improve short- and long-term outcomes. A 56-year-old black female with a history of uterine leiomyosarcoma diagnosed incidentally after total abdominal hysterectomy for fibroid uterus without initiation of chemoradiation treatment presented to the emergency department complaining of generalized weakness and progressively worsening stridor for 2 weeks.

Phenytoin-Associated Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Overlap in Focus: A Case Report.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap is a rare but severe cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction that can lead to death if not treated aggressively and adequately. Drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions are often related to drug exposure, with sulfonamides, anti-epileptics, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs being the most common culprits. This case report describes a 10-year-old boy who was administered phenytoin at a local clinic to manage his seizures.

A Meta-Analysis to Assess the Efficacy of HER2-Targeted Treatment Regimens in HER2-Positive Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC).

Recent trials provide evidence that HER2 is a potential new target for patients with colorectal cancer. While HER2-positive tumors do not show a very encouraging response to anti-HER2-positive agents like trastuzumab alone, promising results have been observed when combined with other synergistically acting tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Our meta-analysis was conducted following the Cochrane Handbook and written following the PRISMA guidelines.

Duet of Death: Biventricular Thrombus in a Methamphetamine User.

We present the case of a 60-year-old male who developed an ischemic stroke due to left ventricular (LV) thrombus emboli as a complication of methamphetamine-induced cardiomyopathy. The patient had a history of methamphetamine abuse, hypertension, and ischemic stroke with no residual deficits presented with new onset slurred speech, left-sided weakness, and numbness for two hours. Computed tomography (CT) of the head showed no acute changes, and a tissue plasminogen activator was given in the emergency department within 30 minutes of arrival.

Evaluation of Serum Levels of Interleukins 6, 8, 17 and 22 in Acne Vulgaris: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic, multifactorial, inflammatory skin disease, and it is now becoming increasingly clear that the inflammatory pathway is involved at a very early in the pathogenesis of acne. The Th17 cells, the activators of this cell line and its downstream effector cytokines, are all likely to have a critical role in inducing and maintaining the disease.

Aim: To analyse the role of interleukins (ILs) 6, 8, 17 and 22 in the pathogenesis of acne.

Successful Treatment of Bronchopulmonary Sequestration by Radiofrequency Ablation of Feeding Artery.

Introduction: Most cases of bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) regress. Prenatal intervention is needed in cases of fetal hydrothorax or hydrops. Laser is commonly used to ablate the feeding artery.

Vaccination in Pregnancy against Pertussis: A Consensus Statement on Behalf of the Global Pertussis Initiative.

Infants are at high risk for severe morbidity and mortality from pertussis disease during early infancy. Vaccination against pertussis in pregnancy has emerged as the ideal strategy to protect infants during these early, vulnerable, first months of life. On 30 November and 1 December 2021, the Global Pertussis Initiative held a meeting that aimed to discuss and review the most up-to-date scientific literature supporting vaccination against pertussis in pregnancy and outstanding scientific questions.

Pertussis in India: Past, Present, and Future.

While vaccines have markedly reduced the incidence of pertussis, a resurgence has occurred in many countries. Until recently, pertussis has not been recognized as an important public health challenge in India due to its successful infant immunization program. However, India still accounts for a large proportion of the world's cases, and increasing reports of pertussis in other countries and in neonates have regenerated interest in pertussis among Indian authorities.

Comparative diagnostic utility of different urinary biomarkers during pre-albuminuric stages of non-hypertensive type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

Background & Objectives: Activation of renin-angiotensin system and tubulointerstitial damage might be seen in pre-albuminuria stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Here, diagnostic utility of four urinary biomarkers [Angiotensinogen (Angio), Interleukin (IL)-18, Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and Cystatin] during pre-albuminuria stages of non-hypertensive type 2 diabetes patients was studied.

Methods: A total of 952 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients were screened for nephropathy [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥120 ml/min and albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30], and 120 patients were followed up for one year.

Design-of-Experiments (DoE)-Assisted Fabrication of Quercetin-Loaded Nanoemulgel and Its Evaluation against Human Skin Cancer Cell Lines.

Quercetin (QCT) is a natural polyphenolic flavonoid showing great potential in the treatment of skin cancer. However, its use is limited owing to its poor water solubility, poor absorption, quick metabolism and excretion, as well as low stability. Preparation of nanoemulgel has been proven to be an effective approach to deliver the drugs topically due to various advantages associated with it.

Treatment patterns for advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the US: A systematic review of observational studies.

Background: The advent of immunotherapies (I-O) and targeted therapies has transformed the treatment landscape in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, adoption of new treatment guidelines and evolving treatment patterns in clinical practice are largely unknown. The aim of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to capture real-world first-line treatment patterns in advanced (staged IIIB-IV) or recurrent NSCLC patients in the US.

Reproductive history differs by molecular subtypes of breast cancer among women aged ≤ 50 years in Scotland diagnosed 2009-2016: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The aetiology of breast cancers diagnosed ≤ 50 years of age remains unclear. We aimed to compare reproductive risk factors between molecular subtypes of breast cancer, thereby suggesting possible aetiologic clues, using routinely collected cancer registry and maternity data in Scotland.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 4108 women aged ≤ 50 years with primary breast cancer diagnosed between 2009 and 2016 linked to maternity data.

Evaluation of Performance of Detection of Immunoglobulin G and Immunoglobulin M Antibody Against Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 by a Rapid Kit in a Real-Life Hospital Setting.

Background: Antibody testing is often used for serosurveillance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence-based antibody tests are quite sensitive and specific for such serological testing. Rapid antibody tests against different antigens are developed and effectively used for this purpose.

Evaluation of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and lipid abnormalities in patients with newly detected hypertension and its association with severity of hypertension.

Introduction: Hypertension remains the major preventable cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lipoprotein (a) is seen to be associated with established essential hypertension and contributes to atherogenesis or to thrombogenesis or both.

Aim: Correlation between lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and lipid abnormalities in patients with newly detected hypertension and its association with severity of hypertension.