Demonstrating the Efficacy of Dual Energy Computer Tomography with Gemstone Spectral Imaging Software to Determine Mixed and Single Composition ex vivo Urolithiasis.

Objective: To assess the capability of determining the mixed chemical composition of urinary stones using spectral imaging properties of Dual Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI) software.

Material And Methods: Twenty-six single and 24 mixed composition ex vivo urinary stones with known chemical composition determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) prior to this project were scanned with DECT imaging and GSI in vitro. The major components of the stones included Uric Acid (UA), Calcium Oxalate (CaOx), Calcium Phosphate (CaP), Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate (MAP), and Cystine (Cys).

Adjunct role of potassium-rich vegetarian diet and a novel potassium food supplement to improve pain in chronic rheumatoid arthritis on supervised standard care: a randomised controlled study.

Introduction: An earlier food survey showed dietary potassium deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective: To evaluate an adjunct role of oral potassium to reduce joint pain in RA.

Methods: 172 consenting eligible symptomatic patients (median duration 6.

ChatGPT: Is This Patient Education Tool for Urological Malignancies Readable for the General Population?

Background: With widespread adoption of technological advancements in everyday life, patients are now increasingly able and willing to obtain information about their health conditions, treatment options, and indeed expected outcomes via the convenience of any device than can access the worldwide web. This introduces another aspect of patient care in the provision of healthcare for the modern doctor. ChatGPT is the first of an increasing number of self learning programs that have been released recently which may revolutionize and impact healthcare delivery.

WHO air quality database: relevance, history and future developments.

Air pollution is the second most important risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, but air quality monitoring is lacking in many low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released its 2022 updated air quality database status report. This report contains data from about 6743 human settlements, a sixfold increase from 1102 settlements in its first publication in 2011, which shows that air pollution is increasingly recognized as a health priority at global and national levels.

Radiological Density, Atomic Numbers, and Stone Fragmentation of Bego Stones Used for Research in Endourology: Comparison to Real Urinary Stones.

The aim of the study was to characterize artificial stones used for research in endourology in terms of radiological properties and hardness, based on stone fragmentation, and to compare them with real stones. We built artificial stones using BegoStone Plus™ powder (BEGO, Lincoln, RI), with powder (g)-water (mL) ratios ranging from 15:03 to 15:12. The CT Gemstone Spectral Imaging Software (GE Medical Systems, LLC, Waukesha, WI) was used to evaluate the radiological density in HU and spectral properties.

The Utility of Renal Mass Biopsy in Large Renal Masses.

Objectives: The role of needle core renal biopsy in large renal masses, defined as lesions larger than 4 cm, is debatable, as larger renal masses are associated with malignant histology. We aim to review the safety and impact of renal biopsy on the management of large renal masses.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center review of all renal biopsies performed between January 2011 and December 2020 at Royal Perth Hospital was conducted.

Computed Tomography-Guided Prostate Sampling and Fiducial Marker Insertion in Patients With Absent Rectums.

Objectives: We aimed to present our experience and the outcomes of a novel technique, computed tomography (CT)-guided prostate biopsy and fiducial marker insertion in patients with absent rectums.

Methods: Patients who underwent CT-guided prostate biopsy at a single institution from November 2010 to November 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were included if they had a clinical suspicion of prostate cancer and had absent rectums from previous surgical resection.

Co-administration of AYUSH 64 as an adjunct to standard of care in mild and moderate COVID-19: A randomized, controlled, multicentric clinical trial.

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy of AYUSH 64, a standard polyherbal Ayurvedic drug in COVID-19.

Methods: During the first pandemic wave, 140 consenting and eligible hospitalized adult participants with mild-moderate symptomatic disease (specific standard RT-PCR assay positive) were selected as per a convenience sample, and randomized (1:1 ratio) to an open-label (assessor blind) two-arm multicentric drug trial; standard of care (SOC as per Indian guidelines) versus AYUSH 64 combined with SOC (AYUSH plus). Participants were assessed daily and discharged once clinical recovery (CR, primary efficacy) was achieved which was based on a predetermined set of criteria (resolution of symptoms, normal peripheral oximetry, and negative specific RT-PCR assay).

Effectiveness of Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Moderate to Severely Ill Covid-19 Patients.

Unlabelled: Convalescent plasma therapy, a classic adaptive immunotherapy used in the treatment of SARS, MERS, and 2009 H1N1 pandemic with acceptable efficacy and safety in the past. Convalescent plasma therapy was taken into consideration in management of COVID 19 disease during the initial days of pandemic but was withdrawn later due to its doubtful beneficial role. This study aims to explore the beneficial role of convalescent plasma and to determine whether convalescent plasma therapy holds a second chance in treating SARS COV-2.

Corrigendum: Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Clinical Trial to Study Ashwagandha Administration in Participants Vaccinated Against COVID-19 on Safety, Immunogenicity, and Protection With COVID-19 Vaccine-A Study Protocol.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.

Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Clinical Trial to Study Ashwagandha Administration in Participants Vaccinated Against COVID-19 on Safety, Immunogenicity, and Protection With COVID-19 Vaccine-A Study Protocol.

Introduction: Vaccines have emerged as the most effective tool in the fight against COVID-19. Governments all over the world have rolled out the COVID-19 vaccine program for their populations. Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD™) is widely used in India.

Low Serum Testosterone Levels in Male Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic debilitating illness associated with several complications of which hypogonadism in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often overlooked but carries a high prevalence and possibly associated with several co-morbidities.

Objectives: To study the correlation of serum testosterone with clinical and biochemical factors in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Method: In our cross-sectional study, we selected a group of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (50 each with hypogonadism and 50 with eugonadism) and obtained their biochemical parameters and looked for the prevalence of co-morbid conditions.

An update on management of renal colic.

Background: Renal tract pain is a common presentation in the primary care setting that can masquerade as other abdominopelvic conditions, and vice versa. A stepwise approach to a patient with renal tract pain can aid immensely in formulating an accurate diagnosis and providing optimal care.

Objective: The aim of this article is to present current evidence-based recommendations for renal tract pain to assist in its diagnosis, assessment and management.

Exercise Prescription in Diabetes- S.M.A.R.T.: A Prospective Study.

Background: Exercise prescription has always been a mandatory yet extremely under rated non-pharmacological approach in management of diabetes mellitus. SMART acronym for S - specific, M - measurable, A - attainable, R - realistic, T - time oriented, is a newly proposed idea for implementing the same with supposedly better results. We tried to analyse the results objectively by SMART prescription of individualized exercise regimes to patients along with medicines.

Selenium attenuates bisphenol A incurred damage and apoptosis in mice testes by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling.

Being a vital micronutrient, along with a trace element, selenium (Se) protects the cells from oxidative stress (OS) in the form of selenoproteins. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xeno-oestrogenic compound that adversely affects the spermatogenesis process by inducing oxidative stress, which ultimately leads to male infertility. Therefore, it is hypothesised that Se could protect against BPA-induced OS, and further germ cell death by modifying mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling.

Loss of COMT activity reduces lateral root formation and alters the response to water limitation in sorghum brown midrib (bmr) 12 mutant.

Lignin is a key target for modifying lignocellulosic biomass for efficient biofuel production. Brown midrib 12 (bmr12) encodes the sorghum caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) and is one of the key enzymes in monolignol biosynthesis. Loss of function mutations in COMT reduces syringyl (S) lignin subunits and improves biofuel conversion rate.

Study of Diversity of Metformin Related Gastrointestinal Side Effects.

Introduction: Digestive disorders represent the most common metformin related side-effects in type 2 diabetics. GI side effects of metformin are not so uncommon rather under reported or wrongly diagnosed as primary gastrointestinal disorder. This study is to estimate metformin related GI side effects in Indian population.

COVID 19- Clinical Profile, Radiological Presentation, Prognostic Predictors, Complications and Outcome: A Perspective from the Indian Subcontinent.

Background: Since December 2019, we have been facing one of the worst pandemics of human history. It originated from the Hubei province in China as a case of pneumonia, later named COVID-19.1 The causative pathogen, a new enveloped betacoronavirus2 is now known as Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV 2).

Real-world evaluation of the clinical safety and efficacy of fluticasone/formoterol FDC via the Revolizer® in patients with persistent asthma in India.

The combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) is widely used for the management of asthma. This prospective, open-label, non-comparative, observational, 24-week multicentre study is the first real-world study from India to compare the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose combination of fluticasone/formoterol (Maxiflo® 100/6 mcg or 250/6 mcg) capsules via the Revolizer® device in patients with persistent asthma. The primary efficacy analyses included mean change in Asthma Control Test (ACT™) at 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks.

Association between Non- alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients of Type 2 Diabetes.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess if non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in diabetic patients increases the risk and/or severity of diastolic dysfunction.

Research Design And Methods: We studied 70 type 2 diabetic individuals without a history of ischemic heart disease, hepatic diseases, or excessive alcohol consumption, in whom NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography. All patients had normal left ventricular systolic function and blood pressure values under medication.

Study of Impact of Glycemic Status (HbA1c) on Platelet Activity measured by Mean Platelet Volume & Vascular Complications in Diabetics.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a global pandemic. The increased platelet activity may play a role in the development of vascular complications of this metabolic disorder. The mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of the average size and activity of platelets.

Dengue Encephalopathy in Hadoti Region: Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic Evaluation, Management and Outcome.

Background: Dengue viral infection is common worldwide. Recent studies have shown dengue viral infection causing encephalopathy, with high morbidity and mortality. Dengue encephalopathy patients usually present with altered sensorium, elevated lab parameters and high antibody titres at the time of admission.