Importance of Urine Culture and Antibiotic Sensitivity for Improving Clinicians' Choice in Treating Urinary Tract Infections.

Background: The local antibiogram is essential to prevent the development of multidrug-resistant organisms. The aim of the study was to find out the synchronization of empirical antibiotics with the sensitivity pattern of the urine culture report and to study the differences in the organisms and sensitivity patterns in urinary tract infection (UTI) with and without other comorbidities.

Materials And Methods: UTI, diagnosed by a positive urine culture report of 300 consecutive patients above the age of 18, was studied retrospectively.

How do family members influence smokeless tobacco consumption during pregnancy in India? Perspectives of pregnant women.

Smokeless tobacco (ST) use in South Asia is culturally ingrained and socially accepted. A better understanding of these sociocultural influences could inform behavioural approaches to prevent ST use. We sought to understand how family members influence pregnant women's behaviour, attitudes, and perceptions towards ST use.

Statistics in the Operating Room: A Cardiovascular Surgeon's Guide to Numbers That Matter.

Pediatric cardiac surgery demands meticulous technique, but optimal outcomes hinge on translating data into actionable insights. This editorial bridges the gap between scalpel and statistical jargon, empowering surgeons to decipher common tests. Descriptive statistics paint portraits of patient cohorts, while hypothesis testing discerns real differences from chance.

Evaluation of Pulse Rate, Oxygen Saturation, and Respiratory Effort after Different Types of Feeding Methods in Preterm Newborns.

Background: During the initial days of hospitalization, preterm newborns are given combinations of breastfeeding, spoon/paladai feeding, and/or gavage feeding. Each method of feeding may have a different effect on vital parameters.

Objective: To study changes in vital parameters in relation to different feeding methods and postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm newborns.

Safety and Tolerability of Remdesivir in Patients with End-stage Renal Disease on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Introduction: The use of remdesivir is not recommended in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection unless potential advantage offset disadvantage due to limited safety data. Our objective was to assess the safety of remdesivir in patients with end-stage renal failure and evaluate the outcome of this vulnerable group.

Methodology: We carried out a retrospective observational study in dialysis-dependent ESRD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who received a standard 5-day course of remdesivir (powder form) from June 2020 to December 2020.

The study of clinical profile and outcome of patients with snakebite in a rural community.

Context: Snakebite remains an underrated cause of accidental death in modern India, primarily in rural India, where people fail to reach out to modern medicine and fall victim to the handful of quacks using traditional healing methods. If promptly diagnosed and treated based on various clinical determinants like mode of presentation, time of medical intervention, recognition of the species, and analysis of a series of reliably identified bites, the treatment outcome would be more promising. We aimed to study snakebite patients' clinical profile and treatment outcome in a rural tertiary care setup.

Blood Component Transfusion in Tertiary Care Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit: An Audit.

Background Neonates admitted in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) require multiple blood transfusions because of extended NICU stay and repeated sampling. The rookie organ systems and miniature blood volumes in the neonate call for regular audits in neonatal blood transfusion practice. Sharing component usage data with the blood bank will prepare them to store components according to demand, thus limiting wastage of components as well as make banks ready to face a shortage in case of ramped up requirements.

Study on Assessment of Quality of Life and Depression in Patients of Vitiligo.

Context: Vitiligo is an autoimmune pigmentary disorder characterized by localized or generalized depigmentation of the skin. It is associated with significant stigma and has impact on patient's quality of life (QoL) and psychological wellbeing.

Aims: To see the variance in QoL and level of depression in vitiligo patients with extent of vitiligo.

Lessons learnt from the Indian H1N1 (swine flu) epidemic: Predictors of outcome based on epidemiological and clinical profile.

Introduction: Influenza A (H1N1) virus has caused serious respiratory illness (swine flu) and death over the years. The first confirmed case of swine flu H1N1 in India was documented in May 2009, but huge numbers of cases were reported thereafter. In 2015, swine flu outbreak in India had led to significant morbidity and mortality.

Qualitative Assessment of Learning Strategies among Medical Students Using Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews.

Background: Globally, students with top academic performance and high intellectual capacity usually opt to study medicine. However, once students get enrolled, their academic performance varies widely. Such variations appear to be determined by various factors, one of them being types of learning strategies adopted by students.

Student's perception about innovative teaching learning practices in Forensic Medicine.

Background: Since decades, Forensic Medicine is mainly taught by didactic methods but in last couple of years some other teachinglearning and assessment methods are also introduced at some places which also lacks uniformity. Feedback from learners is most fundamental aspect to assess effectiveness of applied methods, but is not implemented in practice at most medical schools in India. Unfortunately, medical students are deprived of this practical empowerment and thus may not be efficient enough to contribute potentially to the justice system during their professional life.

Experience of a faculty development workshop in mentoring at an Indian medical college.

Background: Our medical college is running a mentoring programme for undergraduate medical students since 2009. The academic leadership of the college identified the need to change the focus of the programme from mere problem- solving to professional and personal development of mentees.

Methods: A core group of faculty designed and implemented a workshop on mentoring for 28 mentors.

Quality of life and coping strategies of caregivers of children with physical and mental disabilities.

Background: Developmental disability is a term that refers to permanent cognitive and or physical impairment. Arrested development of physical or mental capacities can lead to number of problems for the sufferer as well as the carers.

Methodology: This study was conducted to assess the quality of life (QOL) and coping mechanisms used by the carers of physically challenged children.

Association of quality of life of carers with quality of life and functional independence of stroke survivors.

Background: Stroke has a great impact not only on patients' but also on their caregivers' lives. Carers may experience high levels of burden that can result in deterioration of their health status, social life, and well-being. Association between quality of life (QOL) of carers and that of stroke survivors in Indian setting is not much researched.

Association of Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Use of Reverse Osmosis Processed Water for Drinking: A Cross-Sectional Study from Western India.

Introduction: Prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency has increased in community in recent time. Possibility is raised for new and yet unidentified factors being associated with this increased prevalence. One of these factors frequently questioned is use of Reverse Osmosis (RO) processed water for drinking.

Xanthelasma Palpebrarum with Arcus Cornea: A Clinical and Biochemical Study.

Background: Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is characterized by sharply demarcated yellowish flat plaques on upper and lower eyelids. It is commonly seen in women with a peak incidence at 30-50 years. It is also considered as the cutaneous marker of underlying atherosclerosis along with the disturbed lipid metabolism.

Characteristics of Postpartum Depression in Anand District, Gujarat, India.

Characteristics of postpartum depression (PPD) in Anand District, Gujarat, India. PPD affects 1 in 10 women in the developed world. It has been implicated as an independent factor with adverse effect on child health, and health care-seeking behavior of mothers.

Social, Psychological and Financial Burden on Caregivers of Children with Chronic Illness: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: To explore social, psychological and financial burden on caregivers of chronically diseased children.

Methods: Participants were recruited from ambulatory and hospital areas in pediatrics department following informed consent. Parents who were caregivers of children 18 y or below in age with chronic illness were included.

Critical Analysis of PIM2 Score Applicability in a Tertiary Care PICU in Western India.

Objective. Children have limited physiological reserve that deteriorates rapidly. Present study profiled patients admitted to PICU and determined PIM2 score applicability in Indian setting.