Single (375 mg/m) vs. double dose of rituximab along with mycophenolate mofetil for children with steroid-dependent/frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome: a multicentre open-label randomized controlled trial.

Background: Optimal dosing of rituximab when given with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS/SDNS) remains uncertain.

Methods: This was a prospective, non-inferiority, open-label randomized controlled multicentre study. Children (2-18 years old) with difficult FRNS/SDNS were randomized to group A (rituximab 375 mg/m once) or group B (rituximab 375 mg/m twice; 7-14 days apart) followed by continuous MMF and 3 months of tapered steroids.

Clinical profile and immediate outcomes of balloon mitral valvotomy in low gradient rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the clinical, hemodynamic characteristics and immediate outcomes of Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvotomy (PBMV) in low gradient severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (LGMS) with normal cardiac index.

Background: The optimal management of LGMS remains incompletely understood.

Methods: We examined 200 consecutive patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) who underwent PBMV between January 2014 and March 2020.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension among adults aged 15-49 years in India: insights from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and identify the factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension in India.

Study Design: A secondary data analysis using the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) covering the period 2019-2021.

Methods: Information on hypertension among individuals aged 15-49 years was extracted from the survey dataset.

Assessment of Bone Thickness at the Infra Zygomatic Crest Region for Various Orthodontic Miniscrew Implant (OMSI) Insertion Angles: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Study.

Objective: To evaluate the infrazygomatic crest (IZC) bone and develop guidelines for the optimum placement of orthodontic miniscrew implants (OMSIs) along the distobuccal root of the permanent maxillary first molar.

Methods: Bone thickness of the IZC region of 50 young adults (25 males and 25 females) aged 18-30 years were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography images. The infrazygomatic bone thickness along the distobuccal root of the permanent maxillary first molar was assessed at various insertion angles (40° to 75° i.

Interplay of missed opportunity for vaccination and poor response to the vaccine led to measles outbreak in a slum area of Eastern Mumbai, India.

In the third week of September 2022, an outbreak of measles was reported from a slum in Eastern Mumbai, India. We sought to investigate whether failure to vaccinate or vaccine failure was the cause. We constructed an epidemic curve, drew a spot map, and calculated the attack rate and case-fatality ratio.

Does the use of platelet-rich fibrin enhance the rate of orthodontic tooth movement? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: This review synthesizes the available evidence pertinent to the effect of platelet-rich fibrin on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement during comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

Method: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Nine electronic databases were searched until January 2024 without restrictions, followed by a hand search of the reference lists.

Comparison of diagnostic capability of macular ganglion cell complex vs retinal fiber layer thickness in primary open angle glaucoma patients of Indian origin.

Purpose: Comparison of diagnostic capability of macular ganglion cell complex thickness vs. retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Settings And Design: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out between June 2021 and October 2022 at a tertiary care hospital in North India.

Suppression of perioperative stress response in elective abdominal surgery: A randomized comparison between dexmedetomidine and epidural block.

Background And Aims: Stress response after surgery induces local and systemic inflammation which may be detrimental if it goes unchecked. Blockade of afferent neurons or inhibition of hypothalamic function may mitigate the stress response.

Material And Methods: A total of 50 consenting adult ASA I/II patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine () or epidural bupivacaine () in addition to balanced general anesthesia.

Comparative Diagnostic of Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis: PCR is a Fast, Efficient, and Improved Diagnostic Approach.

Methods: The study included 100 clinically suspected cases of TBLN. Fine needle aspirate (FNA) samples were processed for cytology staining and cultured on LJ & BACTEC 12B media. The biochemical tests were performed to identify the isolates at the species level.

Safety and immunogenicity of the Rotavac and Rotasiil rotavirus vaccines administered in an interchangeable dosing schedule among healthy Indian infants: a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 4, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis among children younger than 5 years in low-income and middle-income countries. Two vaccines-Rotavac and Rotasiil-are used in routine immunisation in India. The safety and immunogenicity of these vaccines administered in a mixed regimen is not documented.

Determinants of severity among hospitalised COVID-19 patients: Hospital-based case-control study, India, 2020.

Background: Risk factors for the development of severe COVID-19 disease and death have been widely reported across several studies. Knowledge about the determinants of severe disease and mortality in the Indian context can guide early clinical management.

Methods: We conducted a hospital-based case control study across nine sites in India to identify the determinants of severe and critical COVID-19 disease.

Proposal and clinical application of molecular genetic risk scoring system, "MRplus", for BCR-ABL1 negative pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia- report from a single centre.

Introduction: We propose "MRplus", a molecular genetic risk score and check its clinical application in the risk-stratification of pediatric B-ALL.

Methods: The genomic DNA of untreated pediatricBCR-ABL1 negative B-ALL patients was analyzed for deletions of IKZF1, PAX5, CDKN2A/B, BTG1, RB1, ETV6, EBF1, ERG, pseudoautosomal region(PAR) genes using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, along with the routine genetic work-up. The patients were assigned an 'M'score- 0 (M0) for low and 1 (M1) for high genetic-risk as per the criteria by Moorman et al.

IKZF1 Deletion Subtyping and Outcome Analysis in BCR-ABL1-Negative Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Single-Institution Experience from North India.

Background: IKZF1 deletions are associated with adverse outcomes in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). We assessed the prevalence and clinical impact of functional subtypes of IKZF1 deletions in pediatric BCR-ABL1-negative B-ALL.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study of IKZF1 deletions was done in cases of pediatric BCR-ABL1-negative B-ALL.

Development and temporal external validation of a simple risk score tool for prediction of outcomes after severe head injury based on admission characteristics from level-1 trauma centre of India using retrospectively collected data.

Objective: To develop and validate a simple risk scores chart to estimate the probability of poor outcomes in patients with severe head injury (HI).

Design: Retrospective.

Setting: Level-1, government-funded trauma centre, India.

Global impact of environmental temperature and BCG vaccination coverage on the transmissibility and fatality rate of COVID-19.

The 2019-Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a global impact. The effect of environmental temperature on transmissibility and fatality rate of COVID-19 and protective efficacy of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination towards COVID-19 remains ambiguous. Therefore, we explored the global impact of environmental temperature and neonatal BCG vaccination coverage on transmissibility and fatality rate of COVID-19.

Dual partial arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy: The game changer for accelerated hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated tumor cavity boost in early breast cancer - A comparative dosimetric study with single partial arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy.

Introduction: In a previous study, we demonstrated clinical and dosimetric feasibility of single partial arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for accelerated hypofractionated whole breast radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to lumpectomy cavity for early breast cancer. In this dosimetric study, we compared dual partial arcs versus single arc.

Patients And Methods: Fifteen consecutive patients for treatment with hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy with SIB using VMAT were planned with single partial arc in an earlier study, initial result of which is published elsewhere.

Impact of Cancer Awareness Drive on Generating Awareness of and Improving Screening for Cervical Cancer: A Study Among Schoolteachers in India.

Purpose: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in India. Our study assessed the level and impact of awareness programs in the adoption of safe practices in prevention and early detection.

Methods: This assessment was part of a Pink Chain Campaign, the mission of which is to fight cancer.

Influence of tissue factor polymorphisms (603A>G and 5466A>G) on plasma tissue factor levels and their impact on deep vein thrombosis risk in young Indian population.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is multifactorial disorder and well known to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. There is sparse data in the Asian population, particularly India regarding association of tissue factor (TF) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with plasma TF levels in DVT. So, we analyzed the distribution of SNPs (603A>G and 5466A>G) in India, to evaluate their effect on TF levels in DVT patients.

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of high rotein omplete (lcto) getaian (PACER) diet in non-diabetic obese Asian Indians in North India.

In view of the increasing prevalence of obesity in largely vegetarian Asian Indians, it is important to research a high protein, low carbohydrate vegetarian diet. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of a "High rotein omplete (lacto) Vgetaian Diet (Acronym; 'PACER diet'), on weight, body composition and metabolic profiles in non-diabetic obese Asian Indians living in north India. In this 8-week randomized control trial, 102 vegetarian subjects with body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m were randomized to either a test diet (PACER diet; high protein, high fat and moderately low carbohydrate, lacto-vegetarian diet) or control diet (standard vegetarian diet formulated as the dietary guidelines for Asian Indians) after 4 weeks of diet and exercise run-in period.

Molecular genetic profile in BCR-ABL1 negative pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia can further refine outcome prediction in addition to that by end-induction minimal residual disease detection.

The recently proposed molecular genetic criteria promise improved risk-prediction in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). This study assesses their utility in BCR-ABL1 negative pediatric B-ALL, particularly with respect to end-induction minimal residual disease (MRD). The DNA was analyzed for copy number alterations in CDKN2A/B, PAX5, IKZF1, and other genes.

Impact of Cancer Awareness Drive on Generating Understanding and Improving Screening Practices for Breast Cancer: a Study on College Teachers in India.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India and most present at advanced stage. Although early detection is the only way to reduce morbidity and mortality, people have a very low awareness about breast cancer signs and symptoms and screening practices. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of awareness and impact of awareness programs in adoption of safe practices in prevention and early detection.