Effect of metformin on exercise capacity in treatment naïve type 2 diabetes patients.

Objectives: Exercise capacity is decreased in diabetes mellitus due to impaired insulin sensitivity, endothelial dysfunction and mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of metformin on exercise capacity in treatment naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were tested for baseline insulin resistance and exercise capacity, before starting on metformin.

Clinical Evaluation of a Wireless Device for Monitoring Vitals in Newborn Babies.

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of the Nemocare Raksha (NR), an internet of things (IoT)-enabled device, to continuously monitor vitals for 6 h and its safety in newborns. The accuracy of the device was also compared with the readings from the standard device used in the pediatric ward.

Method: Forty neonates (either gender) weighing ≥ 1.

Single value of NephroCheck™ performed at 4 hours after surgery does not predict acute kidney injury in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: Quantification of urinary tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IFGBP-7), which is commercially known as NephroCheck™(NC) test have been suggested as promising tools for the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery involving cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB).

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that single value of postoperative NC test performed at 4 hours after surgery can predict AKI in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) surgery.

Setting And Design: This prospective single-center study was conducted at the tertiary cardiac center in India from December 2017 to November 2018.

Automated versus manual B-lines counting, left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral and inferior vena cava collapsibility index in COVID-19 patients.

Background And Aims: The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become a very useful tool to quickly assess cardiorespiratory function in coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 patients. The objective of this study was to test the agreement between manual and automated B-lines counting, left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT-VTI) and inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVC-CI) in suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients using AI integrated POCUS. In addition, we investigated the inter-observer, intra-observer variability and reliability of assessment of echocardiographic parameters using AI by a novice.

Determinant of outcome in late presenting type A aortic dissection.

Background: Early repair is recommended in type A aortic dissection repair, however, this is not often possible. The aim of this study was to assess the time delays, examine the effect of timing and malperfusion on outcomes, and identify other independent risk factors for mortality.

Methods: This was a retrospective study on data collected prospectively.

Use of Handheld Ultrasound Device with Artificial Intelligence for Evaluation of Cardiorespiratory System in COVID-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) causes various cardiopulmonary manifestations. Bedside ultrasound helps in the rapid diagnosis of these manifestations. Vscan Extend™ (GE, Wauwatosa, WI, USA) is a handheld ultrasound device with a dual probe and an artificial intelligence application to detect ejection fraction.

Combination of Inferior Vena Cava Diameter, Hepatic Venous Flow, and Portal Vein Pulsatility Index: Venous Excess Ultrasound Score (VEXUS Score) in Predicting Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Cardiorenal Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Fluid overload is deleterious in critically ill patients. It can lead to venous congestion, thereby increasing venous pressure, theoretically increasing the backpressure, and thereby reducing renal blood flow. Venous congestion thus can be an important contributor to acute kidney injury (AKI), with no validated tools to objectively identify venous congestion bedside.

Effects of genetic polymorphisms in Vitamin D metabolic pathway on Vitamin D level and asthma control in South Indian patients with bronchial asthma.

Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes involved in Vitamin D actions (rs2228570) and metabolic pathways (rs2248137 and rs10766197) and their associations with serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D (25(OH)D) level and asthma control in South Indian patients with bronchial asthma.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and two patients of South Indian origin with bronchial asthma either naive to inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) or not receiving ICS for ≥1 month were included and were treated with ICS (beclomethasone 200 μg twice daily) for 8 weeks. One hundred and one unrelated healthy South Indians were used as controls.

Drug information center as referral service in a South Indian tertiary care hospital.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the various aspects of drug information services (DISs) provided in the DI center of a tertiary care hospital.

Materials And Methods: DI queries received from various departments from April 2013 to May 2017 were included in the study. Various aspects such as year- and department-wise distribution, reason for sending the queries, mode of receipt and reply, time taken for reply, number of visit for bedside examination of patients, and number of references given per query were analyzed.

Systematic Review on Vitamin D Level in Apparently Healthy Indian Population and Analysis of Its Associated Factors.

Background: Vitamin D which is involved in the maintenance of bone mineral homeostasis has been found to portray various pleiotropic effects. Although it has been widely accepted that serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D level above 30 ng/ml is considered optimal for the biological actions of Vitamin D, there is a need to explore the levels of Vitamin D reported among Indians from various regions of the country. Hence, this systematic review aims to appraise the status of Vitamin D levels reported from apparently healthy Indians across various parts of India.

The Journey of the Non-Vascular Relief for Migraine: From 'Triptans' To 'Ditans'.

Migraine is a recurrent, disabling, complex and highly prevalent neurological disorder. The mystery behind the cause of migraine is continuously evolving, according to the scientific understanding of the disease. This growing understanding helps to identify novel therapeutic targets for the management of migraine to treat the ailing migraineurs.

Effect of metformin on exercise capacity in metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of risk factors with increased predilection towards occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Currently physical exercise and management with metformin are the prevailing treatment modalities for metabolic syndrome. Patients with metabolic syndrome have been found to have reduced exercise capacity over a period of time.