COVID-19 and Stroke Trends in A Tertiary Care Center from South India -Our Monsoon Experience.

Introduction: The unprecedented challenges during the COVID pandemic and the subsequent lockdown had resulted in a delay in treatment metrics for acute stroke. There is a rising concern that COVID-19 co-infection can adversely affect stroke outcome. We aim to investigate the impact of COVID-19 in the management of stroke patients.

Pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum and surgical emphysema in spontaneous pneumothorax.

Spontaneous pneumothorax leading to pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium and surgical emphysema is a benign condition. Progression to the development of epidural pneumatosis is rare. We report a 19-year-old man who presented with dyspnoea and swelling of the chest wall following a bout of cough.

Clinical Features and Outcome of Stroke with COVID-19. COVID-19 Stroke Study Group (CSSG), India.

Background And Purpose: Occurrence of stroke has been reported among patients with COVID-19. The present study compares clinical features and outcomes of stroke patients with and without COVID-19.

Methods: The COVID-19 Stroke Study Group (CSSG) is a multicentric study in 18 sites across India to observe and compare the clinical characteristics of patients with stroke admitted during the current pandemic period and a similar epoch in 2019.

Protective efficacy of Alum adjuvanted Amidase protein vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus infection in multiple mouse models.

Aims: Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen of humans. No commercial vaccine is available to combat S. aureus infections.

Design and development of electrospun SPEEK incorporated with aminated zirconia and curcumin nanofibers for periodontal regeneration.

Periodontal disease disturbs the supportive tissues around the teeth such as connective tissue, gingival tissue, periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone. Previously, treatment of periodontitis was embattled by repopulating the affected site with cells that has capacity to regenerate damaged tissue by endorsing the perception of guided tissue regeneration but it entails additional surgery owing to non-biodegradability. Biodegradable polymeric nanofibrous scaffold imitating extracellular matrix (ECM) delivering functionalized nanoparticles loaded with therapeutic drug have the ability to support cellular functions thereby enhancing regeneration.

Clinical profile and outcome of non-COVID strokes during pandemic and the pre pandemic period: COVID-Stroke Study Group (CSSG) India.

Background: As the health systems around the world struggled to meet the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, care of many non-COVID emergencies was affected.

Aims: The present study examined differences in the diagnosis, evaluation and management of stroke patients during a defined period in the ongoing pandemic in 2020 when compared to a similar epoch in year 2019.

Methods: The COVID stroke study group (CSSG) India, included 18 stroke centres spread across the country.

Spontaneous Splenic Rupture in a Case of Infectious Mononucleosis.

Infectious Mononucleosis is a common viral illness mainly of adolescent-young adult age group. Spontaneous splenic rupture is a rare but potentially fatal complication of Infectious Mononucleosis occurring in less than 0.5 % of the cases.

An update on recent developments in the prevention and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) readily forms biofilms on prosthetic devices such as the pacemakers, heart valves, orthopaedic implants, and indwelling catheters. Its biofilms are recalcitrant to antibiotic therapy and pose a serious burden in the healthcare setting as they drastically increase the treatment cost and morbidity of the patient.

Preparation, characterization and efficacy of lysostaphin-chitosan gel against Staphylococcus aureus.

Lysostaphin (LST) is a bacteriocin that cleaves within the pentaglycine cross bridge of Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan. Previous studies have reported the high efficiency of LST even against multi drug resistant S. aureus including methicillin resistant S.

Autolysin mediated adherence of Staphylococcus aureus with Fibronectin, Gelatin and Heparin.

Major autolysin (Atl) of Staphylococcus aureusis a cell surface associated peptidoglycan hydrolase with amidase and glucosaminidase domains. Atl enzymes (amidase and glucosaminidase) are known to participate in biofilm formation and also can bind with host matrices. Earlier studies demonstrated the binding of Atlwithfibronectin, thrombospondin 1, vitronectin and heat shock cognate protein Hsc70.

Bi-layered nanocomposite bandages for controlling microbial infections and overproduction of matrix metalloproteinase activity.

Chronic diabetic wounds is characterised by increased microbial contamination and overproduction of matrix metalloproteases that would degrade the extracellular matrix. A bi-layer bandage was developed, that promotes the inhibition of microbial infections and matrix metalloprotease (MMPs) activity. Bi-layer bandage containing benzalkonium chloride loaded gelatin nanoparticles (BZK GNPs) in chitosan-Hyaluronic acid (HA) as a bottom layer and sodium alendronate containing chitosan as top layer was developed.

Amidase, a cell wall hydrolase, elicits protective immunity against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis.

The morbidity and the mortality associated with Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis infections have greatly increased due to the rapid emergence of highly virulent and antibiotic resistant strains. Development of a vaccine-based therapy is greatly desired.

Comparative efficacy of chloramphenicol loaded chondroitin sulfate and dextran sulfate nanoparticles to treat intracellular Salmonella infections.

Salmonella Paratyphi A is a food-borne Gram-negative pathogen and a major public health challenge in the developing world. Upon reaching the intestine, S. Paratyphi A penetrates the intestinal epithelial barrier; and infects phagocytes such as macrophages and dendritic cells.

Clinical profile of patients with nascent alcohol related seizures.

Aim: The aim of this study is to characterize the clinical profile of patients with alcohol related seizures (ARS) and to identify the prevalence of idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) in the same.

Materials And Methods: 100 consecutive male patients presenting to a tertiary care center in South India with new onset ARS were analyzed with alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) score. All underwent 19 channel digital scalp electroencephalography (EEG) and at least computed tomography (CT) scan.

Gronblad Strandberg syndrome with vertibrobasilar dolichoectasia.

The constellation of pseudoxanthoma elasticum, ocular involvement and vascular disturbances is termed Gronblad Strandberg syndrome. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive calcification and fragmentation of elastic fibres in the skin, retina and the cardiovascular system. Typically the cutaneous lesions begin in childhood, but because of their asymptomatic nature they are not noted until adolescence.

Ice pack test: is it obsolete?

Ophthalmologic signs are the most often presenting symptoms of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), most common being ptosis. However, ptosis may be caused by a variety of non-myasthenic disorders; hence, the distinction between them and myasthenic ptosis is critical. A battery of diagnostic tests are available to establish the diagnosis of MG, all having their pros and cons, some being life threatening.

Splenic tumor presenting as pyrexia of unknown origin.

Pyrexia of unknown origin has always been a challenging problem to diagnose for physicians. Here we present a case of a splenic tumor, which after histopathology and immunohistochemistry, two possibilities were considered, a diffuse large cell lymphoma--plasmablastic variant and second an anaplastic plasmacytoma. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and on followup he has no evidence of recurrence or any residual lesion.

Macrophage activation syndrome.

Macrophage Activation Syndrome is a rare and potentially fatal disease, to be considered in patients with a SIRS like clinical presentation. Falling ESR and hyperferritinemia in the appropriate clinical setting can be the greatest clues. We report a case in which a female admitted with fever and rash, initially had systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) like clinical presentation, but eventually proved to be a rare case of fatal Macrophage Activation Syndrome.