Unlocking the potential of Eudrilus eugeniae in mitigating the pollution risk of pesticides and heavy metals: Fostering machine learning tactics to optimize environmental health.

Agro-industrial waste management remains a critical challenge in sustainable development, particularly due to contamination with heterogeneous micropollutants such as heavy metals (HMs), pesticides, and polyphenols. This study explores an innovative vermistabilization approach using pineapple pomace (PP) to enhance the bioremediation of paper mill sludge (PMS) facilitated by Eudrilus eugeniae. The research demonstrates that the contrasting pH profiles of PMS (a highly alkaline substrate) and PP (a highly acidic substrate) have significantly contributed to nutrient enhancement and stabilization of end products for the mixed feedstock treatments (PP and PMS-based feedstocks) compared to the feedstock treatments in isolations.

Guidelines for Antibiotics Prescription in Critically Ill Patients.

Khilnani GC, Tiwari P, Mittal S, Kulkarni AP, Chaudhry D, Zirpe KG, Guidelines for Antibiotics Prescription in Critically Ill Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(S2):S104-S216.

ISCCM Position Statement on the Management of Invasive Fungal Infections in the Intensive Care Unit.

Rationale: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) are an emerging problem owing to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressive agents, and frequency of indwelling catheters. Timely diagnosis which is imperative to improve outcomes can be challenging. This position statement is aimed at understanding risk factors, providing a rational diagnostic approach, and guiding clinicians to optimize antifungal therapy.

Position Statement of ISCCM Committee on Weaning from Mechanical Ventilator.

Background And Purpose: Weaning from a mechanical ventilator is a milestone in the recovery of seriously ill patients in Intensive care. Failure to wean and re-intubation adversely affects the outcome. The method of mechanical ventilation (MV) varies between different ICUs and so does the practice of weaning.

ISCCM Position Statement for Improving Gender Balance in Critical Care Medicine.

Unlabelled: Gender disparity in Critical Care Medicine (CCM) persists globally, with women being underrepresented. Female Intensivists remain a minority, facing challenges in academic and leadership positions at the workplace and within academic societies. The Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) recognized the need for addressing issues related to gender parity and constituted its first Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee in 2023.

Comparison of analgesic effects of pericapsular nerve group block and fascia iliaca compartment block during hip arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background And Aims: Postoperative pain for patients having hip arthroplasty ranges from moderate to severe. Many regional anaesthesia procedures treat postoperative pain to improve functional ability and quality of life. Evidence comparing the analgesic effects of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) remains unclear.

Computed tomography severity score as a predictor of disease severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Prediction of outcomes in severe COVID-19 patients using chest computed tomography severity score (CTSS) may enable more effective clinical management and early, timely ICU admission. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the predictive accuracy of the CTSS for disease severity and mortality in severe COVID-19 subjects.

Methods: The electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched to find eligible studies that investigated the impact of CTSS on disease severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients between 7 January 2020 and 15 June 2021.

High-flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy in COVID-19 Critically Ill Patients with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is prone to acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). Because tracheal intubation is associated with a higher risk of death in these patients, AHRF employs high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNOT). The goal of this study was to assess the effect of HFNOT on oxygenation status as well as different predictors of HFNOT failure.

Morphine-Induced Fever: A Case Series.

The most common cause of postoperative fever is infection. Other causes include cancer, iatrogenic causes, venous thromboembolism, secondary to prosthetic implants, and pyrexia of unknown origin. Here, we describe five cases of opioid-induced pyrexia.

Intensive Care in India in 2018-2019: The Second Indian Intensive Care Case Mix and Practice Patterns Study.

Background: We aimed to study organizational aspects, case mix, and practices in Indian intensive care units (ICUs) from 2018 to 2019, following the Indian Intensive Care Case Mix and Practice Patterns Study (INDICAPS) of 2010-2011.

Methods: An observational, 4-day point prevalence study was performed between 2018 and 2019. ICU, patient characteristics, and interventions were recorded for 24 hours, and ICU outcomes till 30 days after the study day.

ROX index as a good predictor of high flow nasal cannula failure in COVID-19 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Prediction of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) failure in COVID-19 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) may improve clinical management and stratification of patients for optimal treatment. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine performance of ROX index as a predictor of HFNC failure.

Materials And Methods: Systematic search was performed in electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) for articles published till 15 June 2021 investigating ROX index as a predictor for HFNC failure.

Impact of COVID-19 on Psychological and Emotional Well-being of Healthcare Workers.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the last few months has disrupted the healthcare system globally. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological and emotional well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs).

Materials And Methods: We conducted an online, cross-sectional, multinational survey, assessing anxiety [using Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Scale: GAD-2 and GAD-7], depression (using Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and insomnia (using Insomnia Severity Index Scale), among HCWs across India, the Middle East, and North America.

Randomized Double-Blinded Comparative Study of Intravenous Nalbuphine and Tramadol for the Treatment of Postspinal Anesthesia Shivering.

Context: Shivering is one of the most commonly recognized complications of the central neuraxial blockade. For optimal perioperative care, control of postspinal anesthesia shivering is essential.

Aims: The present study designed to compare the clinical efficacy, hemodynamic parameters, and side effects of nalbuphine and tramadol for control of postspinal anesthesia shivering.

Critical care as a career for anaesthesiologists.

Anaesthesiologists by virtue of their understanding of physiology, pharmacology and resuscitation skills are best suited to manage critical care units. Armed with this varied knowledge, the anaesthesiologist is 'physician to the surgeon and a surgeon to the physician'. Specialised training helps them to provide extended postoperative and critical care.

Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Lifesaving Challenge.

Prakash J, Bhattacharya PK, Priye S, Kumar N. Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Lifesaving Challenge. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(1):104-105.

Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine Experts Committee Consensus Statement on ICU Planning and Designing, 2020.

Background: Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) guidelines on Planning and Designing Intensive care (ICU) were first developed in 2001 and later updated in 2007. These guidelines were adopted in India, many developing Nations and major Institutions including NABH. Various international professional bodies in critical care have their own position papers and guidelines on planning and designing of ICUs; being the professional body of intensivists in India ISCCM therefore addresses the subject in contemporary context relevant to our clinical practice, its variability according to specialty and subspecialty, quality, resource limitation, size and location of the institution.

Epidemiology and clinical outcomes of invasive mould infections in Indian intensive care units (FISF study).

Background And Aim: Due to limited data on invasive mould infections (IMIs) in the intensive care units (ICUs) of developing countries, we ascertain epidemiology and management of IMIs at 11 ICUs across India.

Methods: Consecutive patients with proven or probable/putative IMIs were enrolled during the study period. Subjects were categorized into classical (neutropenia, malignancy, transplant recipients on immunosuppression) and non-classical (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, liver disease and glucocorticoids) risk groups.

Mapping the Characteristics of Critical Care Facilities: Assessment, Distribution, and Level of Critical Care Facilities from Central India.

Background: In low- and middle-income countries such as India, where health systems are weak, the number of available Critical Care Unit (Intensive Care Unit [ICU]) beds is expected to be low. There is no study from the Indian subcontinent that has reported the characteristics and distribution of existing ICUs. We performed this study to understand the characteristics and distribution of ICUs in Madhya Pradesh (MP) state of Central India.

Guidelines for prevention of hospital acquired infections.

These guidelines, written for clinicians, contains evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of hospital acquired infections Hospital acquired infections are a major cause of mortality and morbidity and provide challenge to clinicians. Measures of infection control include identifying patients at risk of nosocomial infections, observing hand hygiene, following standard precautions to reduce transmission and strategies to reduce VAP, CR-BSI, CAUTI. Environmental factors and architectural lay out also need to be emphasized upon.

Analysis of oligomeric proteins during unfolding by pH and temperature.

During thermal transition and variation of pH, structural properties of 35 proteins and their complexes (bound with substrate and co-factor) were analyzed in detail. During pH alteration, these proteins were shown to have substantial differences in conformations. pH conformers were analyzed in detail.

Biophysical studies with parallel stranded oligoduplex.

The thermal denaturation profiles of parallel stranded oligoduplexes during UV-spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy, for the first time, were shown to follow the similar patterns as were described for antiparallel stranded oligoduplexes. The B-form structure of these center-bubble-forming oligoduplexes was determined with circular dichroism. Thermodynamic properties were also discussed.

Biophysical characterization of double-stranded oligonucleotides using ETBR and isothermal fluorescence spectroscopy: implication for SNP genotyping.

The UV-absorption, fluorescence and CD spectra of aps 23 bp oligoduplexes were performed for potential diagnostic purpose. These oligonucleotide sequences were mimicked from natural mutations (mitochondrial genome) of human population (unpublished). This work was designed on the basis of hybridization of non-self complementary oligoduplexes (aps) containing no mismatch, one-mismatch and two-mismatches.