Sequential Occurrence of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease in a Case of Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia in Remission: An Unusual Report with Review.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare lymphoproliferative malignancy presenting with para-proteinemia. The symptoms are attributable to both lymphoproliferation and IgM flare. Gastrointestinal manifestations are not uncommon.

Bone marrow transplant: A two-decade single centre hematology experience.

Background: Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) is a curative form of therapy for many hematological disorders in both the adult and pediatric patients. The availability of BMT in the AFMS at AHRR for the last 02 decades has been a game changer for the patients.

Methods: We reviewed our BMT data since the inception of the program till Feb 2023.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation landscape in India.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), commonly known as Bone marrow transplantation (BMT), is a medical procedure used to treat various conditions, including blood cancers, genetic disorders, and certain autoimmune diseases. The procedure involves replacing damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells to promote the production of new, healthy blood cells. In India, HCT has been performed for several years in specialized medical centers.

Clinico-laboratory Profile and Outcomes of Megaloblastic Anemia presenting as Severe Pyrexial Illness mimicking Tropical Infection.

Background: Anemia-causing fever has been described in patients with megaloblastic anemia. Although the exact mechanism of this is unknown, high-grade fever is relatively less reported.

Materials And Methods: This prospective observational study included all new cases of megaloblastic anemia presenting with febrile illness (>101°F) during a 3-year period.

Aberrant promoter hypermethylation regulates thrombomodulin in high altitude induced deep vein thrombosis.

Background: DNA methylation regulates gene expression by inhibiting transcription factor binding to promoter and regulatory regions. Acute hypoxia during altitude exposure is associated with decreased natural anticoagulants and morbid thrombotic events. Thrombomodulin (TM) is a high affinity thrombin binding receptor protein, vital for vascular homeostasis.

Real-world experience of anti-D immunoglobulin in immune thrombocytopenia.

In developing countries, anti-D has been used in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) as a cheaper alternative to human immunoglobulin. We aim to analyze the response and safety profile of anti-D in patients with severe ITP. A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Northern India.

Safety and efficacy of splenectomy in immune thrombocytopenia.

Background: Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by low platelet counts. Splenectomy has been in practice for the treatment of ITP since the early 20th century. We aimed to analyze the data of ITP patients from our hospital who underwent splenectomy and further present the long-term outcome and safety profile in these patients.

Safety and efficacy of azathioprine in immune thrombocytopenia.

Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a benign hematological disorder characterized by low platelet counts in peripheral blood and spectrum of various bleeding manifestations. Azathioprine is one of the effective, readily available, and affordable immunosupressants available for ITP management in developing countries. We aimed to study the efficacy and long-term safety profile of our patients with ITP who were treated with azathioprine.

Radiographical Spectrum of High-altitude Pulmonary Edema: A Pictorial Essay.

Background: High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a common cause of hospitalization in high altitude areas with significant morbidity. The clinical presentation of HAPE can overlap with a broad spectrum of cardiopulmonary diseases. Also, it is associated with varied radiological manifestations mimicking other conditions and often leading to unnecessary and inappropriate treatment.

Real-world Experience of Rituximab in Immune Thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a relapsing-remitting disease often requiring more than one line of therapy. Rituximab is a recommended second-line therapy, but the real-world data on its efficacy and safety from resource constraint settings is limited. We aimed to analyze the safety and efficacy of rituximab in ITP.

Survival Outcomes of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma at a Tertiary Care Center in North India (IMAGe: 001A Study).

Purpose: The outcomes of patients with myeloma from developing countries are often lacking because of poor record maintenance. Publications from such settings are also limited because of the retrospective nature of the data collection. Information technology can bridge these gaps in developing countries with real-time data maintenance.

Real-world experience of eltrombopag in immune thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by decreased platelet count in the peripheral circulation. The first-line therapy is corticosteroids with 53-80% overall response rate. Eltrombopag has been used as second-line therapy in ITP for over a decade now.

Mesenchymal stem cells from orthodontic premolar teeth.

Background: Considering the limitations in isolating Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs), alternate sources of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are being intensely investigated. This study evaluated dental pulp MSCs (DP-MSCs) isolated from orthodontically extracted premolar teeth from a bone tissue engineering perspective.

Methods: MSCs isolated from premolar teeth pulp were cultured and studied using BMSCs as the control.

Venous thrombosis at altitude presents with distinct biochemical profiles: a comparative study from the Himalayas to the plains.

High-altitude (HA) hypoxia exposure is believed to induce venous thromboembolism (VTE) in otherwise healthy individuals, although this needs to be fully established. The present study aims to ascertain the role of HA exposure in aggravating any predisposition toward VTE and to explore whether the etiology of HA-induced VTE is different from that of VTE closer to sea level. We compared manifestation-matched male VTE patients from HA (HAPs) and VTE patients from the plains closer to sea level (SLPs) for 54 parameters, including coagulation-related, fibrinolytic, and thrombophilic variables, as well as markers for stress and inflammatory response and platelet and endothelial activation.

High-altitude pulmonary oedema: Newer treatment modalities for an age-old problem.

Background & Objectives: High-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) continues to challenge the healthcare providers at remote, resource-constrained settings. High-altitude terrain itself precludes convenience of resources. This study was conducted to evaluate the rise in peripheral capillary saturation of oxygen (SpO) by the use of a partial rebreathing mask (PRM) in comparison to Hudson's mask among patients with HAPE.

Splenic Infarct on Exposure to Extreme High Altitude in Individuals with Sickle Trait: A Single-Center Experience.

Sickle cell trait (SCT) is a common genetic abnormality in the so-called "sickle belts" in India. Splenic infarction often brings to medical attention an underlying SCT, when appropriately looked for. The hypoxic environment of an extreme high-altitude area (HAA) is conducive for developing a splenic infarct in an SCT individual not a native of these areas.

Summary of the Highlights of 2019 ASTCT Meeting by iNDUS BMT Group at Chennai, India.

This article summarises the main highlights of the abstracts presented at the annual meeting of American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT). The highlights of ASTCT meeting were organised by iNDUS BMT group in Chennai, India. The purpose of the highlight meeting was to educate the students about the latest research in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and its applicability for the developing country perspective.

Anthropometric evaluation of school-going native highlanders (4-19 years of age) from the Leh-Ladakh region in India.

Background: The native population of the Ladakh region faces the unique challenges of a high-altitude environment with distinct physiological adaptations in comparison with lowlanders. However, no comprehensive data on standard anthropometric parameters for the school-going children in this populace is available.

Objectives: We aimed to study the various anthropometric parameters in the school-going native highlander population and computed measures of central tendency.

Development and characterization of human iPSC line NCCSi004-A from umbilical cord blood (UCB) derived CD34cells obtained from donor belonging to Indian ethnic population.

Here we report the reprogramming of CD34 cells obtained from UCB of a healthy donor female child belonging to the Indian ethnic population. These CD34cells were subjected to nucleofection for delivery of episomal vectors expressing Oct4, Sox2, L-Myc, Lin28, Klf4 and p53DD (negative mutation in p53). The iPSC colonies expressed pluripotency markers as detected by PCR, immunofluorescence and flow-cytometry.

A systematic review and cost-effectiveness analyses of the new World Health Organization guidelines for the treatment of HIV-positive adults in India.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2013 has revised its guidelines on antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive adults and further updated it in 2016. Based on the WHO recommendations, in May 2017, National AIDS Control Organisation, India recommended initiation of ART treatment for all people living with HIV, regardless of CD4 count, clinical stage, age, or population. This systematic review aims to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost implication of the new guidelines for India.

Erythropoietin and ferritin response in native highlanders aged 4-19 years from the Leh-Ladakh region of India.

The pivotal role of erythropoietin (EPO) in hypoxic adaptation has led to various studies assessing the EPO and ferritin response in native highlanders from Andes and Tibet. We assessed the relationship between EPO, haemoglobin and ferritin in 335 native highlanders (172 boys and 163 girls, aged 4 to 19 years) from Leh-Ladakh, India, who had no history of travel to lowland areas. Complete blood counts, serum EPO and ferritin levels were measured.