Persistent Vulnerabilities in the World of Work and Contemporary Capitalism: Some Reflections on India.

The onslaught of COVID-19 has been catastrophic for India's world of work. While it was a bolt out of the blue, its impacts on employment need to be located in the context of a long-term and ongoing structural crisis of (un) employment and systemic vulnerabilities (and subsequent burgeoning of 'labour reserves') that have tended to worsen during the neo-liberal regime. Using the various EUS and subsequent PLFS rounds for roughly the last two decades, the paper seeks to highlight selected aspects of the vulnerabilities and inequities that have plagued India's world of work.

Baseline serum cystatin C as a marker of acute kidney injury in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Background: A creatinine-based estimation of the renal function lags behind the onset of disease process. Cystatin C is a new marker for acute kidney injury (AKI). However, data are limited in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

Plastic versus metal stents for inoperable gallbladder cancer with hilar biliary obstruction: the jury is still out.

In unresectable malignant hilar obstruction, adequate biliary drainage can be achieved with endoscopic placement of plastic or metal stents. Stent patency and patient survival may differ, depending on the primary disease, disease progression and stent type. Metal and plastic stents were compared in patients with malignant hilar strictures in several studies, but these studies mainly included patients who had cholangiocarcinoma, without taking into consideration potential differences in the invasion properties of tumor cells, histological differentiation and the biological behavior of different tumors.

Evaluation of factors associated with complications in amoebic liver abscess in a predominantly toddy-drinking population: A retrospective study of 198 cases.

Background And Aim: Although the mortality rate has declined in recent years, amoebic liver abscesses (ALAs) still carry a substantial risk of morbidity. Studies regarding the indicators of severity, complication, or prognosis of ALA are limited in number and heterogeneous in methodology and results.

Methods: Clinicodemographic profile, therapeutic modalities, and outcomes of indoor ALA patients admitted between January 2016 and October 2017 were analyzed.

Comparison of concomitant therapy versus standard triple-drug therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective open-label randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Resistance to commonly used antibiotics against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is increasing rapidly leading to lower success of traditional triple therapy to eradicate H. pylori infection.

The relation of toddy (palm wine) intake to amoebic liver abscess in a predominantly toddy-drinking population: a cross-sectional study.

The role of toddy (palm wine) as an independent risk factor for amoebic liver abscess (ALA) is not clear. In a cross-sectional study, the clinico-demographic profiles of inpatients with ALA were examined. Microscopy examination of toddy (n = 43) samples was performed.

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pneumothorax: Report of two cases and literature review.

Pneumothorax is a very rare complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Here, we report two cases of pneumothorax following ERCP and sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis. Patient was treated successfully with laprotomy and repair of a rent in the posterolateral wall of the second portion of duodenum.

Polyethylene glycol plus bisacodyl: A safe, cheap, and effective regimen for colonoscopy in the South Asian patients.

Background And Aim: Data regarding the comparison of colonoscopic preparation regimens are still variable. We aimed to assess the adequacy and tolerability of two bowel preparation regimens for afternoon colonoscopy.

Methods: In a randomized, investigator-blinded trial, two preparation regimens [4-L split-dose polyethylene glycol-electrolytes (PEG-ELS) and 2-L PEG-ELS plus bisacodyl) were compared in terms of bowel cleansing efficacy and adverse effects.

Optimal cut-off value of fecal calprotectin for the evaluation of ulcerative colitis: An unsolved issue?

Introduction: There is variability in the fecal calprotectin (FCP) cut-off level for the prediction of ulcerative colitis (UC) disease activity and differentiation from irritable bowel disease (IBS-D). The FCP cut-off levels vary from country to country.

Aims: We aimed to assess FCP as a marker of disease activity in patients with UC.

Antimicrobial and bioactive phosphate-free glass-ceramics for bone tissue engineering applications.

Glasses with composition 55SiO-10KO-(35-x)CaO-xMgO (x = 5, 10, 15 up to 35) were prepared via conventional melt-quench technique. The glasses were converted to glass-ceramics by controlled heat-treatment at 850 °C. Higher content of MgO instead of CaO prevents the devitrification of the glasses.

Effect of Metaboreflex on Cardiovascular System in Subjects of Metabolic Syndrome.

Introduction: Metaboreflex is a reflex in which muscle receptors send signals regarding metabolic (metabolites accumulation like lactic acid, potassium, adenosine) conditions of the muscles to nucleus tractus solitarius via afferent III and IV fibres to cause haemodynamic adjustments in order to regulate blood flow on the basis of the status of contracting muscle. Dysregulation in its mechanism in metabolic syndrome is demonstrated.

Aim: To study the effect of metaboreflex by both isometric and rhythmic handgrip exercise on CVS parameters {Blood Pressure (BP), Cardiac Output (CO) and Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)} in subjects of metabolic syndrome.

Imatinib-induced Stevens-Johnsons syndrome.

Imatinib mesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used widely as the first-line treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). The side-effect profile of this drug includes fluid retention, muscle cramps, diarrhoea, myelosuppression and skin rashes. Of these, rashes of the type maculo-papular eruptions and oedema developed most commonly.