Seronegative Autoimmune Encephalitis With Rapidly Progressive Parkinsonism.

Seronegative autoimmune encephalitis is an infrequent entity in older patients, and its presentation as rapidly progressive parkinsonism is rarely seen in cases of autoimmune encephalitis. We present a case report of an older patient who presented with worsening Parkinson's-like symptoms over a month. We highlight the importance of considering autoimmune encephalitis as a potential cause of rapidly progressive parkinsonism and the importance of radiological findings when the entire autoimmune panel is negative in such patients.

Neuromodulatory Effect of Lactate on Visual Evoked Potential After Acute Exercise in Healthy Adult Males.

Background Lactate, once considered merely a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, is now recognized as a crucial neuromodulator in the brain, particularly during high-energy demands. Recent studies have explored its role in neuroprotection, cognitive enhancement, and neural plasticity. This study investigates the effects of elevated blood lactate levels, induced by acute exercise, on visual evoked potentials (VEPs), which reflect neural activity in the visual cortex.

Analgesic Efficacy Comparison Between Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block and Retrolaminar Block in Patients Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females. Surgery is the gold standard therapy, with modified radical mastectomy (MRM) being the most commonly performed procedure for breast cancer. Management of postoperative pain after MRM poses a clinical challenge and hence receives utmost priority.

Early Identification of Low Scorers: The Role of Formative Assessments and Summative Assessments.

Background Identifying students who are low scorers is essential for providing timely interventions and support. Traditional methods of identifying such students often rely on summative assessments, such as end-of-term exams. However, formative assessments offer valuable insights into students' understanding, strengths, and weaknesses.

Association Between BMI and Neurocognitive Functions Among Middle-aged Obese Adults: Preliminary Findings Using Machine-learning (ML)-based Approach.

Background: Studies suggest that obesity predisposes individuals to developing cognitive dysfunction and an increased risk of dementia, but the nature of the relationship remains largely unexplored for better prognostic predictors.

Purpose: This study, the first of its kind in Indian participants with obesity, was intended to explore the use of quantification of different neurocognitive indices with increasing body mass index (BMI) among middle-aged participants with obesity. Additionally, machine-learning models were used to analyse the predictive performance of BMI for different cognitive functions.

Looking beyond the ER, PR, and HER2: what's new in the ARsenal for combating breast cancer?

Breast cancer (BrCa) is a complex and heterogeneous disease with diverse molecular subtypes, leading to varied clinical outcomes and posing significant treatment challenges. The increasing global burden of BrCa, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, underscores the urgent need for more effective therapeutic strategies. The androgen receptor (AR), expressed in a substantial proportion of breast cancer cases, has emerged as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target.

Polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden scales in older adults: a cross-sectional study among psychiatric outpatients in a tertiary care hospital.

Introduction: Mental disorders are prevalent among older adults, often leading to the use of multiple medications, many with anticholinergic properties. Polypharmacy, common in this population, is a major contributor to anticholinergic burden, which is linked to cognitive and physical decline. This study investigates the relationship between polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden across seven anticholinergic burden scales in elderly patients attending the psychiatric outpatient.

The Utility and Impact of Telemedicine in Childhood Cancer Care: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: While teleconsultation has proven feasible for adult cancer patients, its utility in childhood cancer care in India is unknown. This study assesses caregiver satisfaction, feasibility, and the economic impact of teleconsultation for children with cancer.

Procedure: This mixed methods study was conducted in the pediatric cancer outpatient service at a tertiary care cancer center in India.

Immunobiology of MPox Infection and Its Management: Experience From Developing Nations.

Purpose: As humanity grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, the rising threats of the MPox virus (MPXV) in 2022 and 2024 have shown signs of global transmission and the potential to spark another pandemic. Though MPXV has been present for over 5 decades, with cases traditionally confined to endemic regions in West and Central Africa, recent outbreaks have occurred in multiple non-endemic regions, declaring itself as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This study aims to examine the patterns of MPXV transmission, its zoonotic potential, associated complications, and viable strategies to control its spread.

Droplet digital PCR technique is ultrasensitive for the quantification of covalently closed circular DNA in the blood of chronic HBV-infected patients.

Background: Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is a stable, episomal form of HBV DNA. cccDNA is a true marker for the intrahepatic events in controlled CHB infection. Quantifying cccDNA is critical for monitoring disease progression, and efficacy of anti-viral therapies.

Smartphone Applications-Based Intervention to Reduce Body Mass Index and Improve Health-Related Behavior Among Children with Overweight/Obesity: A Pilot Clinical Trial.

Objectives: To assess changes in body mass index (BMI), diet and physical activity (PA) of 8-15-y-old children with overweight/ obesity, following a smartphone applications-based intervention; and to understand facilitators and barriers for BMI reduction.

Methods: Children were enrolled through online sessions on childhood obesity for students, parents and teachers at five private schools in Delhi, and requesting parents who perceived their children as having obesity to contact the study team. Eligibility was confirmed through home visit by a technician.

Yoga: As a Transformative Approach to Addressing Male Infertility and Enhancing Reproductive Health in Men: A Narrative Review.

Infertility presents multifaceted challenges that encompass both physical and emotional burdens. Yoga, as a comprehensive system of mind-body medicine, serves as an effective intervention for managing male factor infertility, a complex lifestyle disorder with significant psychosomatic elements. This review explores the transformative role of yoga in addressing both the emotional and physical dimensions of infertility.

Evaluation of Predictors of Response to Ovulation Induction Using Letrozole in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Ovulation induction (OI) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains challenging, and several biomarkers have been evaluated for their ability to predict ovulation. The predictive ability of candidate biomarkers, particularly with letrozole-based therapy in infertile PCOS women, remains inconclusive as it is yet to be evaluated in a prospective study.

Aim: To assess the role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH)/FSH ratio, testosterone and free androgen index (FAI) as predictors of ovarian response to letrozole-based OI therapy during OI cycles in infertile women with PCOS from North India.

Role of Adenosine A1 Receptor in Sleep Deprivation-Induced Neuroinflammation: Insights on Rapid Eye Movement Sleep and Fear Extinction Memory Recall in Rats.

Introduction: Sleep deprivation (SD), stemming from a myriad of aetiologies, is a prevalent health condition frequently overlooked. It typically impairs memory consolidation and synaptic plasticity, potentially through neuroinflammatory mechanisms and adenosinergic signalling. It is still unclear whether the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) modulates SD-induced neurological deficits in the hippocampus.

Isolated absent pulmonary valve with intact ventricular septum in a young child: A rare case report.

Absent pulmonary valve syndrome, commonly linked with tetralogy of Fallot and ventricular septal defect, is a rare congenital condition. It is exceedingly rare to have an isolated absent pulmonary valve with an intact ventricular septum without cardiovascular shunt lesions, such as an atrial/ventricular septal defect or patent ductus arteriosus. This report presents a case of such rarity involving a young child with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections.

Prevalence of immunological aberrations and 22q11.2 deletion in children with conotruncal anomalies: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: 22q11.2 deletion is associated with conotruncal anomalies and immunological aberrations. Given the common embryonic origin of conotruncus and thymus, conotruncal anomalies may be associated with immunological aberrations irrespective of 22q11.

Systemic artery aneurysms - A marker of high-risk Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease, traditionally classified as medium vessel vasculitis, is known for the preferential involvement of coronary arteries. Infrequently, large systemic arteries might be involved and may affect the prognosis. Here, we present an infant with Kawasaki disease who had extensive involvement of large vessels such as the abdominal aorta and medium vessels of the extremities, along with giant coronary artery aneurysms.

Generalized arterial calcification of infancy - Fetal diagnosis to postnatal management.

Generalized arterial calcification of infancy is a rare entity with poor fetal and postnatal outcomes and high morbidity in survivors. Half of the cases are diagnosed intrauterine due to hemodynamic compromise, and the associated manifestations pose unique management challenges. We hereby report an account of a fetal diagnosis in a referral for hydrops with postnatal evaluation and management.

Cephalometric analysis of Indian races: A systematic review.

This study is intended to review the cephalometric data pertaining to the diverse Indian populace through a systematic literature survey. To conduct a systematic review of literature, an electronic search was done on Medline, Embase, and Central databases. The available data were categorized based on the existing five geographic locations of the country (north, south, east, west, and central India) and analyzed.

Unveiling the safety landscape: A comprehensive review of the toxicological profile of facial aesthetic implants and biomaterials.

Exploring diverse biomaterials and implants in the ear, nose, and throat by understanding adverse effects and post-usage events. Literature was obtained from Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on original research studies, case reports, and case series spanning from December 2010 to May 2022.

The Role of Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Tardive Dyskinesia: A Case Series.

Background: Despite efforts to visualize all the movements of tongue and oropharynx in individuals with focal movement disorders (specifically tardive dyskinesia (TD)), clinicians can miss the complete picture and additional tools may be required to reach an accurate diagnosis.

Cases: We present three cases with TD where ultrasound assisted in diagnoses. These individuals had difficulty swallowing and abnormal sensations in the tongue, which remained undiagnosed until we performed ultrasound of oropharynx which allowed for characterization of these movements.

Identification of deleterious variants associated with male infertility genes in a cohort of idiopathic hypospermatogenesis patients.

Introduction: Hypospermatogenesis is a common histopathological subtype of non-obstructive azoospermia and is characterized by a decrease in the total number of germ cells within the seminiferous tubule as a result of spermatogenic failure. Determination of genetic factors before intracytoplasmic sperm injection can prevent the inheritance of these factors, as hypospermatogenesis patients gives high successful sperm retrieval rate. This study aimed to identify the structural variants associated with idiopathic hypospermatogenesis (iHS) by analyzing patient cohorts diagnosed with azoospermia using whole exome sequencing.