The Nasopharyngo-Septal Butterfly Flap: A Novel Adjunct for Reconstructing Large Skull Base Defects.

Objective: Skull base defects can be challenging to reconstruct. The nasoseptal flap (NSF) remains the first-line option for reconstruction. However, it can be inadequate to cover wide defects or compromised by tumor invasion or prior surgery requiring additional reconstructive options.

Comparative evaluation of tocilizumab and itolizumab for treatment of severe COVID-19 in India: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Itolizumab downregulates the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules by inhibiting CD6 leading to lower levels of interferon-γ, interleukin-6, and tumor necrotic factor-α and reduced T-cell infiltration at inflammatory sites. This study aims to compare the effects of tocilizumab and itolizumab in the management of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: The study population was adults (>18 years) with severe COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit receiving either tocilizumab or itolizumab during their stay.

A Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Study on Phlebotomy Among Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital in Patna, India.

Introduction: For most clinicians and nursing officers, laboratory testing is an unfamiliar part of medical caregiving, and ignorance may lead to serious avoidable errors. Phlebotomy, the first basic step towards laboratory testing, is to be taken seriously otherwise unnecessary repeat testing becomes mandatory. We hypothesized that there are some gaps in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among these nursing officers regarding practices of phlebotomy, which may influence the quality of blood samples.

Interobserver Variability in Semen Analysis: Findings From a Quality Control Initiative.

Introduction For laboratory tests, precision and accuracy are indispensable to ensure reliable results for both clinical diagnosis and research endeavors. The accuracy and reliability of results are important because they have an impact on both patient management and research. In this study, we evaluated the inter-observer variability between a trained technician and two academic residents, which acted both as a quality control measure as well as an assessment of training outcomes.

Anti-F-Actin Antibody Positivity on Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay Following Chinese and Alternative Medicine Therapy: A Case Report.

Immunofluorescence on human epithelial type 2 cells is the standard screening assay for the detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Cytoplasmic speckled patterns are a common finding. However, the less commonly reported ones include the cytoplasmic fibrillar patterns on indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIFT).

Evaluation of Safety Concerns for COVID-19 Immunization of Pregnant Women: a Systematic Review of Emerging Evidence.

There is an urgent need to review the status of COVID-19 vaccine immunization in pregnant women globally, so that adverse outcomes may be prevented. In this study, we performed a systematic review to evaluate the probable outcomes of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant women. An electronic search over three months (June 15-August 15, 2021) was conducted.

Importance of TORCH Profile in Hearing Impaired Paediatric Population Planned for Cochlear Implant: A Study From an Eastern India Tertiary Care Centre.

TORCH group of infections are one of the most common causes of bilateral profound hearing loss in a developing country like ours. Seroprevalance is quite high in eastern part of our country. Screening for TORCH infections in children's with profound hearing loss has significant prognostic, planning and policy forming implications.

Morpho-functional characterization of the submucosal glands at the nasopharyngeal end of the auditory tube in humans.

Background: The auditory tube (AT), an osteocartilaginous channel, connects the nasopharynx to the middle ear cavity. At the nasopharyngeal opening of the AT, there are dense collections of submucosal glands. In a recent article, Valstar et al.

Medial plantar artery-based perforator and island flaps: a case series of applications in sole defects.

Background: Soft tissue defects of the plantar foot pose a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. The plantar region of the foot has a unique skin structure, which helps in its paramount functions of weight-bearing and providing protective sensation. It is best replaced with tissue of its own kind.

Molecular Epidemiology of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Pathotypes in Diarrheal Children from Low Socioeconomic Status Communities in Bihar, India: Emergence of the CTX-M Type.

Background: Childhood diarrheal diseases remain highly endemic in India, but the emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing among children with diarrhea in Bihar remains elusive. In this study, we determine and characterize ESBL-producing pathotypes among hospitalized diarrheal preschool children living in low socioeconomic level communities in Bihar, India.

Materials And Methods: The stool samples were collected everyday throughout the year for 2 consecutive years.