Geo-Spatial Analysis of Acute Ischemic Stroke Reperfusion Treatment in India: An Assessment of Distribution and Access to Centers.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of global mortality and disability, with a disproportionately high burden in low- and middle-income countries. Access to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular treatment (EVT) remains extremely limited.

Aims: We evaluated the spatial distribution and geographic accessibility of stroke centers in India.

Medical professionals' resistance against the arms race and nuclear weapons.

The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 78 years ago changed the concept of the impact of wars. The hope that the level of devastation would make the world think seriously about taking steps to give up the arms race and focus on human welfare did not materialise. The arms race continues unabated.

Contrasting clinical outcomes and socio-economic impact of young versus elderly-onset oral squamous cell carcinoma, a novel health economic analysis.

Objectives: The incidence of young-onset oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is growing, even among non-smokers/drinkers. The effects of adverse histopathological features on long-term oncologic outcomes between the young and old are controversial and confounded by significant heterogeneity. Few studies have evaluated the socio-economic impact of premature mortality from OSCC.

Is the unrealistic expectation of getting cured related to poor treatment adherence among Indian Asthma patients? A hospital based mixed methods study from central India.

Background: Prevention of premature deaths due to asthma requires continued disease control through efforts of both patients and healthcare providers. The expectations of patients have been shown to influence treatment adherence and disease control.

Methodology: We conducted a hospital-based sequential exploratory mixed methods study and used definitions of the Global Initiative for Prevention of Asthma (GINA).

Whether Early Steroid dose is Associated with Lower Mortality in COVID-19 Critically Ill Patients-An Exploratory Chart Review.

Introduction: Steroids have shown its usefulness in critically ill COVID-19 patients. However, the time of starting steroid and dose tailored to severity remain a matter of inquiry due to still emerging evidences and wide-ranging concerns of benefits and harms. We did a retrospective record analysis in an apex teaching hospital ICU setting to explore optimal doses and duration of steroid therapy which can decrease mortality.

Risk Stratification in Oral Cancer: A Novel Approach.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck cancer with high morbidity and mortality. Currently, treatment decisions are guided by TNM staging, which omits important negative prognosticators such as lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion (PNI), and histologic differentiation. We proposed nomogram models based on adverse pathological features to identify candidates suitable for treatment escalation within each risk group according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.

Effectiveness of Universal BCG Immunisation in Reducing the Incidence and Mortality of COVID-19: A Secondary Data Analysis.

Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine's immunomodulatory properties can protect against respiratory infections due to its nonspecific trained immunity of innate immune cells. The objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of BCG in reducing incidence and morality of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology: The present study is a secondary data analysis to compare the incidence and mortality of COVID 19 among countries who had BCG vaccine in their national immunisation schedule with other group of countries who did not have.

Development and Use of a Reproducible Framework for Spatiotemporal Climatic Risk Assessment and its Association with Decadal Trend of Dengue in India.

Introduction: The study aimed to develop a reproducible, open-source, and scalable framework for extracting climate data from satellite imagery, understanding dengue's decadal trend in India, and estimating the relationship between dengue occurrence and climatic factors.

Materials And Methods: A framework was developed in the Open Source Software, and it was empirically tested using reported annual dengue occurrence data in India during 2010-2019. Census 2011 and population projections were used to calculate incidence rates.

Incorporation of adverse features in advanced oral cancer improves precision in staging and patient prognostication.

Background: Despite revised staging criteria, stratification of patients with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains difficult. Well-established features like perineural invasion (PNI), differentiation, and lymphovascular-invasion (LVI) are controversial, and hence omitted from staging. We endeavor to better stratify this cohort by identifying predictors of survival in advanced OSCC (T3-4).

Predictive factors for CPAP failure in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Objectives: Some patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) do not respond to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and for these patients, Bi-level PAP is the next level modality. This study by a theory driven hierarchical approach, tries to identify the predictors for CPAP failure among OSA patients.

Methodology: The potential predictors for the model were identified from a theoretical framework rooted in clinical examination, laboratory parameters, and polysomnographic variables pertaining to OSA patients.

Exploratory study to understand association of emotional comorbidities and sleep with migraine.

Background: Migraine is often associated with psychiatric and emotional co-morbidities. Several studies have shown association of sleep problems and/or emotional co-morbidities among migraineurs. However, less is known about the association of migraine disability with sleep and emotional co-morbidities.

Preparedness of primary health care providers for tobacco cessation - Experiences from a non-communicable disease training program.

Background: Tobacco use can lead to tobacco/nicotine dependence and serious health problems. Quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of developing smoking-related diseases. In a low resource setting like India, the role of primary healthcare providers in tobacco cessation is immense.

Impact of COVID-19 epidemic curtailment strategies in selected Indian states: An analysis by reproduction number and doubling time with incidence modelling.

The Government of India in-network with the state governments has implemented the epidemic curtailment strategies inclusive of case-isolation, quarantine and lockdown in response to ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In this manuscript, we attempt to estimate the impact of these steps across ten selected Indian states using crowd-sourced data. The trajectory of the outbreak was parameterized by the reproduction number (R0), doubling time, and growth rate.

Mental health implications of COVID-19 pandemic and its response in India.

Introduction: Mental health concerns and treatment usually take a backseat when the limited resources are geared for pandemic containment. In this global humanitarian crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues have been reported from all over the world.

Objectives: In this study, we attempt to review the prevailing mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic through global experiences, and reactive strategies established in mental health care with special reference to the Indian context.

Concordance and Discordance of Orthopedicians with Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program with Reference to Musculoskeletal Tuberculosis: A Qualitative Inquiry.

Background: Musculoskeletal tuberculosis (TB) continues to share the major burden of extrapulmonary TB. This burden up to some extent may be attributed to the implementation gap which is reasonably broadest at the level of the immediate point of care. As an orthopedic physician is an important stakeholder at this juncture, it is imperative to recognize their experiences, perceptions, and anticipations to fill this gap.

Diabetes in tuberculosis patients: An emerging public health concern and the determinants and impact on treatment outcome.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus are still of much public health concern. Screening of TB patients for diabetes will ensure early case detection, better management of diabetes, and better TB treatment outcome. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of diabetes in TB patients and their impact on treatment outcome of TB.

Awareness and perceptions regarding taxation and health warnings related to sugar-sweetened beverages and the factors associated with these among visitors of a general out-patient clinic in Bhopal, India.

Introduction: Although increased taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and warning labels on their packaging have been successful in other countries, India has not implemented these. It is imperative to understand the user perspectives before implementation, regarding which almost no information exists.

Objectives: To assess the awareness and perceptions of people regarding taxation and health warnings on SSB packaging, and to determine the factors associated with these.

Young, obese, and underweight patients show up inadequately at scheduled appointments: Findings from a record-based study on diabetic, hypertensive diabetic, and hypertensive patients attending a primary care clinic of Puducherry.

Background: One key barrier to proper management of common cardio-metabolic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension in primary care is inadequate adherence to treatment, which, in many cases, results from inadequate follow-up at scheduled appointments. In addition to provider and health system level factors, individual patient level factors are also associated with attendance at follow-up appointments.

Objective: To document the association of diabetic, hypertensive diabetic, and hypertensive patient's demographic and clinical factors with showing up inadequately at scheduled appointments.