A randomized controlled trial evaluating a theory driven, complex intervention centered on task sharing and mobile health to improve selfcare and outcomes in heart failure - The PANACEA-HF RCT: Design and rationale.

Background: We developed a three-pronged complex intervention to improve selfcare and deliver whole person care for patients with heart failure, underpinned by the 'extant cycle' theory - a theory based on our formative work.

Methods: This is a 3 centre, 2-arm, 1:1, open, adaptive stratified, randomized controlled trial. We included patients aged ≥ 18 years with heart failure, taking any of the key guideline directed medical treatments, with a history of or currently on a high ceiling diuretic.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetic retinopathy: Is there an association?

Background: Studies have not proven whether an association exists between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The reports from various parts of the world have not used uniform criteria, and hence, results are inconclusive. Both DR and NAFLD are common conditions encountered in primary care.

Molecular markers for early stratification of disease severity and progression in COVID-19.

COVID-19 infections have imposed immense pressure on the healthcare system of most countries. While the initial studies have identified better therapeutic and diagnostic approaches, the disease severity is still assessed by close monitoring of symptoms by healthcare professionals due to the lack of biomarkers for disease stratification. In this study, we have probed the immune and molecular profiles of COVID-19 patients at 48-h intervals after hospitalization to identify early markers, if any, of disease progression and severity.

The effect of l-arginine supplementation on amelioration of oxygen support in severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Background & Aims: l-Arginine (l-Arg) has been shown to help reduce respiratory support requirements in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in an Italian study. We investigated the effect of l-Arg supplementation on the reduction in respiratory support for patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia in an Indian population.

Methods: A parallel-group, triple-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted on patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia on oxygen (O) support.

A Study of the Profile and the Impact of Diabetes, Steroid and Stress Hyperglycaemia on COVID-19 Outcomes.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and hyperglycaemia (HG) have been identified as risk factors for morbidity and mortality in coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection. However, a detailed study of various categories of HG and the impacts and characteristics of each of these on COVID-19 was considered important to address this metabolic disorder in COVID-19.

Aims: This study aimed to describe the patterns of HG and its impact on the clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 infection.

Central obesity in low BMI as a risk factor for COVID-19 severity in South Indians.

Background And Objectives: South Asians are known to have excess adiposity at a lower body mass index, with truncal fat accumulation. Whether this confers higher risk to develop severe COVID-19 is not known. This study evaluated body mass index, body fat mass and waist circumference as risk factors for COVID-19 severity and its progression, in South Asian adults.

Microbiologic profile and clinical practices in urinary tract infections in a tertiary care center in Southern India.

Context: Studies reported differences in clinical profiles of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Studies on the impact of the pattern of antibiotic resistance of organisms causing UTI on actual clinical practice are lacking.

Objectives: 1.

Thyroid dysfunction in patients on antiretroviral therapy: A perspective from southern India.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction in patients with human retroviral infection has been reported but the prevalence of thyroid function abnormalities in patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has not been studied. We aimed to assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity (antithyroid peroxidase auto-antibodies [TPO-Ab]) in patients on first-line HAART, identify risk factors for thyroid dysfunction and determine any association of thyroid dysfunction with HAART.

Methods: We screened and enrolled consecutive patients from the outpatient department if they were (i) diagnosed with HIV infection (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay); (ii) aged more than 18 years; (iii) on HAART for 1 year or more; and (iv) clinically stable with no evidence of any acute illness in the past 2 months.

Ergonomic interventions for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in dental care practitioners.

Background: Dentistry is a profession with a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among practitioners, with symptoms often starting as early in the career as the student phase. Ergonomic interventions in physical, cognitive, and organisational domains have been suggested to prevent their occurrence, but evidence of their effects remains unclear.

Objectives: To assess the effect of ergonomic interventions for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental care practitioners.

Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk assessment among human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy.

Background: The association of cardiovascular risk with first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Indians has been a matter of concern with the background of a high risk in South Asians.

Aims: This study aimed to compare metabolic syndrome and its components, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk among patients on first-line ART (Group 1) with age-matched, ART-naïve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients (Group 2) and normal controls (Group 3).

Methods: Patients attending a tertiary care center in Mysore were enrolled in the study after obtaining informed consent and controls were chosen from relatives of patients.

Vitamin D Supplementation in Adults with Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Effect on Metabolic Syndrome - A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Inverse relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) levels is controversial. Hypovitaminosis-D has long been suspected as a risk factor for glucose intolerance.

Aim: A randomized double blind placebo controlled study to evaluate effects of vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance in subjects with hypovitaminosis-D and MetS.

Exercise in patients with Type 2 diabetes: Facilitators and barriers - A qualitative study.

Introduction: Diabetes is a major noncommunicable disease affecting more than 65 million Indians. Although treatment algorithms suggest lifestyle measures (diet and exercise) along with medications data regarding adherence to exercise as well as facilitators and barriers to the practice of physical activity in such patients are limited. Hence, this qualitative study was conducted.

The Epidemiology of IRIS in Southern India: An Observational Cohort Study.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is an uncommon but dynamic phenomenon seen among patients initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to describe incidence, risk factors, clinical spectrum, and outcomes among ART-naive patients experiencing IRIS in southern India. Among 599 eligible patients monitored prospectively between 2012 and 2014, there were 59.

Age estimation using development of third molars in South Indian population: A radiological study.

Aim: To assess the estimation of chronological age based on the stages of third molar development following the eight stages (A-H) method of Demirjian et al. in Chennai population of South India.

Materials And Methods: A sample consisting of 848 individuals (471 males and 377 females) aged between 14 and 30 years was randomly selected for the clinical evaluation and 323 orthopantomograms with clinically missing third molars were taken for radiological evaluation using Demirjian's method from a Chennai population of known chronological age and sex.

The impact of chimerism in DNA-based forensic sex determination analysis.

Sex determination is the most important step in personal identification in forensic investigations. DNA-based sex determination analysis is comparatively more reliable than the other conventional methods of sex determination analysis. Advanced technology like real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers accurate and reproducible results and is at the level of legal acceptance.

Serum lipids and diabetic retinopathy: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: To evaluate the association of elevated serum lipids with retinal hard exudates formation, the occurrence clinically significant macular edema (CSME), occurrence and severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and loss of vision in type 2 diabetics.

Materials And Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients seeking ocular evaluation for diabetic retinopathy were included in this cross-sectional study. They were assessed for presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR), presence of hard exudates, clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).