A Retrospective Study Examining Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels Among Asthma Patients Using the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Database.

Introduction: Regular physical activity benefits respiratory health by reducing the risk of developing asthma. This is achieved by reducing bronchial hyperresponsiveness and preventing lung function decline.

Aim: The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence of self-reported physical activity among asthma patients in the United States in 2021, based on demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare access variables.

Ultrastructural Changes of Synapses in the Hippocampus of Sprague Dawley Rat Brain following Exposure to Naphthalene Balls.

Introduction: The synaptic contacts play an important role in central nervous system (CNS) functioning. Ultrastructural features of synapses in CNS are not studied in naphthalene neurotoxicity model.

Materials And Methodology: In the present work, transmission electron microscopy was used for studying the ultrastructural features of synapses in the hippocampus of Sprague Dawley rat brain, on subsequent exposure to naphthalene balls.

Baseline findings of a multicentric ambispective cohort study (2021-2022) among hospitalised mucormycosis patients in India.

In India, the incidence of mucormycosis reached high levels during 2021-2022, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this, we established a multicentric ambispective cohort of patients hospitalised with mucormycosis across India. In this paper, we report their baseline profile, clinical characteristics and outcomes at discharge.

An assessment of preclinical removable prosthodontics based on multiple-choice questions: Stakeholders' perceptions.

Purpose: Item analysis of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) is an essential tool for identifying items that can be stored, revised, or discarded to build a quality MCQ bank. This study analyzed MCQs based on item analysis to develop a pool of valid and reliable items and investigate stakeholders' perceptions regarding MCQs in a written summative assessment (WSA) based on this item analysis.

Methods: In this descriptive study, 55 questions each from 2016 to 2019 of WSA in preclinical removable prosthodontics for fourth-year undergraduate dentistry students were analyzed for item analysis.

Developing an instructional module of 'digital dentistry' for undergraduate prosthodontics curriculum.

Purpose: To prepare a module on 'Digital Dentistry", which can be used to sensitize dental undergraduate students during their final year Prosthodontics curriculum.

Methods: Ethical approval (167/Ethics/2022) was taken from the Institution before starting the study. Need assessment was achieved using focused group discussion (Online Zoom meeting) of various stakeholders of the Department of Prosthodontics of the institution.

Choledochal cyst mimicking as choledocholithiasis: A case report and review of literature.

Choledochal cysts are rare congenital anomalies of the biliary system, mostly diagnosed during childhood. In adults, a lower incidence and symptom overlap with more common biliary conditions may hinder the diagnosis. This case study presents a 50-year-old female patient who presented with abdominal pain and multiple gallstones on ultrasonography which also showed a dilation of the common bile duct, presumably left by a stone that had already passed.

A short review on behavioural assessment methods in rodents.

The rodent behavioural examination techniques are used to assess various psychological, neurological models and neurotoxicity studies. Therefore, it is of interest to document the various behavioural assessment methods used in rodent model to study the motor, sensory, cognitive functions and emotional behaviour.

Study on Factors Associated with Depression among Elderly and Comparison of Two Scales Used for Screening.

Background: Depression is one of the most frequent illnesses found among the elderly. ICD-10 scale and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) are used commonly for screening and hence it is important to identify the scale which can be used more effectively in community settings.

Objectives: (1) To analyze the factors responsible for the elderly depression and (2) to compare two scales used for the screening (ICD-10 and GDS).

A Simple, Objective, and Mathematical Grading Scale for the Assessment of Facial Nerve Palsy.

Objectives: It is imperative to acquire a simple, objective, and mathematical method for the assessment of facial nerve palsy which can be universally accepted and implemented. A grading scale which is convenient, continuous and economical was attempted for the first time for global and region-specific assessment of facial nerve palsy.

Study Design: Hospital-based observational study.

Introduction of Directly Observed Procedural Skills (DOPS) as a Part of Competency-Based Medical Education in Otorhinolaryngology.

The Directly Observed Procedural/Practical Skill (DOPS) is a relatively new but reliable tool for formative assessment. The lack of desired awareness regarding DOPS among the Otorhinolayngologists of India made us to conduct this study. The aim of the study was introduction of DOPS in Oto-rhino-laryngology Department.

A Randomized, Controlled, Phase III Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Tolerability of Risorine with Conventional Rifampicin in the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients.

Background: The overall goals for treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) are to cure individual patient and to minimize the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. At the time of study conduction, the standard treatment for newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients consisted of an intensive phase for two months with four drugs (HRZE), followed by continuation phase for four months with two drugs (HR). Rifampicin, which is very effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in both the phases of treatment, has certain concerns, which includes, decreased bioavailability with chronic use and hepatotoxicity.

Effect of Raw Crushed Garlic (Allium sativum L.) on Components of Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome consists of a group of risk factors characterized by abdominal obesity, hypertension, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and prothrombotic and proinflammatory conditions. Raw garlic homogenate has been reported to reduce serum lipid levels in animal model; however, no precise studies have been performed to evaluate the effect of raw crushed garlic (Allium sativum L.) on components of metabolic syndrome.

Comparison of four phenotypic methods for detection of metallo-β-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria in rural teaching hospital.

Context: Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing bacteria lead to resistance to carbapenem an antibiotic that used as the last resort for treatment of multidrug-resistant bacteria, extended spectrum beta-lactamases, and AmpC β-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). The emergence of MBL-producing GNB is challenge to microbiology laboratories because there are no standardized guidelines available to detect them. The aim of this study was to compare four phenotypic methods to detect MBL production in GNB and to determine antibiotic sensitivity of MBL-producing isolates.

Periorbital hyperpigmentation: a study of its prevalence, common causative factors and its association with personal habits and other disorders.

Background: Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is one of the most commonly encountered conditions in routine dermatology practice. There are only few published studies about its prevalence, classification, and pathogenesis but none showing its association with habits, and other medical conditions in Indian patients.

Aims: To determine prevalence and type of POH, common causative factors, and its association with personal habits and other disorders within various age and sex groups.

Nasal foreign body presenting as unilateral headache.

We report a 6 year old female child, who presented with history of right sided recurrent headache for four months. On diagnostic nasal endoscopy, a metallic foreign body was seen impacted between superior turbinate, middle turbinate and nasal septum which was removed using pediatric nasal endoscope. Following removal, the symptom of unilateral headache subsided.

Unsafe injection practices in Gujarat, India.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to obtain comprehensive data on injection practices, especially about safety issues, among health services providers and residents in the Anand district of Gujarat, India.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study. Stratified random sampling method was used to select primary healthcare facilities, and the field method of randomisation was used to select families in the general population in the catchment areas of the selected health facilities.

Case of foreign body in Wharton's ductcausing silolithiasis.

A case of swelling of submandibular gland in a 20-year-old male is reported. This eventually proved to be caused by a foreign body-thorn in the Wharton's duct.