Coagulopathy in the absence of overt DIC in postoperative neurosurgical patients is a strong predictor of poor outcome.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of coagulopathy in postoperative neurosurgical patients and correlate it with the outcome.

Materials And Method: This longitudinal study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in the Department of Pathology and Neurosurgery. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Ethical Committee - Human Research.

Monocyte CD36 expression associates with atherosclerotic burden in diabetes mellitus.

Background: By virtue of its role in oxidized low-density lipoprotein uptake and foam cell transformation, monocyte CD36 (mCD36) is a potential non-invasive tool to detect atherosclerosis (ATH) in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: Flowcytometric expression of mCD36 was evaluated with reference to ankle brachial index (ABI) in 70 patients of type 2 DM [40 with and 30 without coronary artery disease (CAD) respectively] and 30 age and gender matched normoglycemic controls (NGCs).

Results: DM patients had significantly higher mCD36 indices than NGCs (p < 0.

Plasma Fibrinogen and D-dimer in Children With Sepsis: A Single-Center Experience.

Background & Objective: In sepsis, enhanced fibrin formation, impaired fibrin degradation, and intravascular fibrin deposition lead to a prothrombotic state. The current study aimed at measuring various coagulation parameters to predict an early marker for disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC).

Methods: The current prospective study was conducted from January 2012 to April 2013 on 50 children aged 1-10 years with clinically suspected sepsis referred to the Department of Pediatrics of a tertiary care center in New Delhi, India.

Diagnostic utility of Wilms' tumour-1 protein (WT-1) immunostaining in paediatric renal tumours.

Background & Objectives: Renal tumours constitute about 7 per cent of all neoplasms in children. It is important to differentiate Wilms' tumour (commonest tumour) from non-Wilms' tumours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoexpression and diagnostic role of Wilms' tumour-1 protein (WT1) in paediatric renal tumours.

Evaluation of apoptosis in skin biopsies of patients of borderline leprosy and lepra type 1 reaction.

Background: The role of apoptosis is not clear in leprosy and lepra reactions.

Objectives: To evaluate frequency of apoptosis in skin lesions of borderline leprosy and Type 1 lepra reaction.

Methods: Sixty patients with borderline leprosy (30 with clinically diagnosed Type 1 reaction (T1R) (Group I) and 30 without clinical evidence of reaction (Group II)) were analyzed in this prospective study.

Evaluation of key histologic variables in skin biopsies of patients of borderline leprosy with type 1 lepra reaction.

Background: Leprosy remains an important health problem mainly in the African and South-East Asia regions. Type 1 reaction is an immune-mediated phenomenon known to complicate at least 30% of patients of leprosy. Diagnosing type 1 reaction correctly is important for timely institution of therapy to prevent and treat neuropathy-associated disability and morbidity.

Thrombophilic molecular markers in young patients (<40 years) with coronary artery disease.

Background: There has been an alarming rise in the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in India especially involving the age group of less than 45 years. In recent past, various studies focused on hemostatic aspects of CAD, but could not determine the significance of thrombophilic molecular marker in combination. The study was undertaken to investigate the association of thrombophilia related molecular markers in young patients with CAD.

Activated protein C and septic shock: a propensity-matched cohort study*.

Background: Septic shock is a highly inflammatory and procoagulant state associated with significant mortality. In a single randomized controlled trial, recombinant human activated protein C (drotrecogin alfa) reduced mortality in patients with severe sepsis at high risk of death. Further clinical trials, including a recently completed trial in patients with septic shock, failed to reproduce these results.

Evaluation of CD64 expression on neutrophils as an early indicator of neonatal sepsis.

Background: Enhanced neutrophil CD64 (nCD64) expression is likely to be useful in diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. This study evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of nCD64 expression as an early indicator of neonatal sepsis.

Methods: Sixty neonates (culture positive, 24; negative, 36) with suspected sepsis and 30 controls were studied prospectively.

Developmental and neurophysiologic deficits in iron deficiency in children.

Introduction: Several studies in animals and humans have clearly demonstrated the effect of ID on development, cognition, behavior and neurophysiology. The effect of ID have been shown: on brain metabolism, neurotransmitter function, and myelination. Changes in brain iron content caused by early ID in animals are not reversible by iron therapy, inspite of correction of anemia and other tissue deficits and result in changes in behavior which continue into adulthood.

Frequency of β-thalassemia trait and other hemoglobinopathies in northern and western India.

Introduction: India is an ethnically diverse country with an approximate population of 1.2 billion. The frequency of beta-thalassemia trait (βTT) has variously been reported from <1% to 17% and an average of 3.

Early intravenous unfractionated heparin and mortality in septic shock.

Background: Sepsis and septic shock represent a systemic inflammatory state with substantial pro-coagulant elements. Unfractionated heparin is a known anticoagulant, which also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Unfractionated heparin has been shown to increase survival in experimental models of septic shock.

Congenital duodenal obstruction with situs inversus totalis: Report of a rare association and discussion.

This report is to present and discuss an extremely rare association of situs inversus with duodenal atresia in an 11-day-old male neonate born full term and weighing 1.9 kg. The baby presented with recurrent bilious vomiting.

Esophageal atresia: Factors influencing survival - Experience at an Indian tertiary centre.

Objective: To study the clinical profile of the cases of esophageal atresia (EA) and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and various factors affecting the surgical and early postoperative management and their outcome.

Materials And Methods: A prospective analysis of 127 cases of EA from February 2004 to May 2006 was performed. Waterston prognostic criteria were used for grading.

Azygos vein preservation in primary repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

The aim of this study is to report a series of patients with the Azygos vein preserved during the surgery for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA&TEF), highlighting the advantages in terms of survival and prevention of anastomotic leak. Ninety-six neonates with EA&TEF, admitted to the Department of Pediatric Surgery, King George Medical University between 2004 and 2006, were reviewed prospectively; the babies were randomly allocated to two groups: Group A (n = 46) in which the Azygos vein was preserved and Group B (n = 50), wherein it was ligated. The two groups were comparable in respect to sex, weight, prematurity, associated anomalies, Waterston classification, Spitz classification and distance between the pouches after mobilization.

Duration of hypotension before initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy is the critical determinant of survival in human septic shock.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and impact on mortality of delays in initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy from initial onset of recurrent/persistent hypotension of septic shock.

Design: A retrospective cohort study performed between July 1989 and June 2004.

Setting: Fourteen intensive care units (four medical, four surgical, six mixed medical/surgical) and ten hospitals (four academic, six community) in Canada and the United States.