Relationship between smoking and pulmonary tuberculosis based on positive sputum smears.

Introduction: Smoking and tuberculosis are the two major, global health problems. Not only active smokers but also passive smokers are at risk of becoming infected with tuberculosis. Through many mechanisms, smoking decreases immunity and predisposes to numerous infections.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on mortality in pulmonary hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling and is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Although it is independently associated with multiple comorbidities, the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on mortality in patients with PH remains uncertain. To address this issue, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of DM on survival in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Dynamics of Antibody Response to Covishield Vaccine after 6 Months: A Longitudinal Prospective Study.

Objectives: To study the dynamics of antibody responses in the real world up to 6 months following two Covishield vaccination doses and evaluate its correlation with age.

Materials And Methods: From March 2021 to February 2022, a prospective, longitudinal study of healthcare workers (HCWs) from a dedicated COVID-19 hospital was conducted. Institutional Ethics Committee permission was obtained.

A meta-analysis of ferric carboxymaltose versus other intravenous iron preparations for the management of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials evaluating the clinical effects of ferric carboxymaltose therapy compared to other intravenous iron in improving hemoglobin and serum ferritin in pregnant women. We also assessed the safety of ferric carboxymaltose vs. other intravenous iron.

Need for Pandemic Preparedness Teaching during the Medical Curriculum.

When we talk about 20-20 it goes without saying that we are talking about Indian Premier League matches. But when we talk about 2020, we get goosebumps even remembering the memories of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic! It was just about that time when the National Medical Commission (NMC) rolled out the Competency-based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum for the first Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) batch admitted in the 2019-2020 academic year. Who knew that the timetable so well planned would go for a toss due to the global pandemic? It was indeed a learning lesson for all.

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response Following COVID-19 Vaccination, a Longitudinal Study.

Background: The objective was studying the antibody response following immunization with COVID-19 vaccines.

Material And Methods: It was a longitudinal study of healthcare workers (HCWs). Two groups were taken, Group 1 had taken first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, at least 3 weeks have passed.

The retrospective and observational study of catatonia - Diagnosis, course of illness, and the response to lorazepam - in a tertiary health-care center.

Objectives: In patients with catatonia, it has been discovered that benzodiazepines (BZD) have a remarkable impact. However, there is not much evidence reflecting the long-term treatment with only BZDs before considering electroconvulsive therapy.

Materials And Methods: One-year retrospective data of patients obtained from the health management information system (HMIS) portal and records of the department of psychiatry with the diagnosis of catatonia.

Validation of an on-screen application-based measurement of shoulder range of motion over telehealth medium.

Background: Shoulder range-of-motion (ROM) assessment is vital for the follow-up evaluation of operated patients and for the outcome-based research studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and reliability of a remote on-screen application (app)-based method of shoulder ROM measurement through a telehealth medium.

Materials And Methods: A consultant shoulder surgeon, a board-certified orthopedic resident, and a graduate medical doctor served as the examiners.

India Joining the World of Hip and Knee Registries: Present Status-A Leap Forward.

Background: The number of joint replacements in India is set to grow at the highest rate in the world from 2020 to 2026. It is high time for India to have an efficient and credible registry to help curtail the clinical impact of implant failure at a very early stage by prompt reporting.

Methods: Indian Joint Registry has been established by ISHKS with new data forms for reporting.

The Distance between the Pectoralis Major Tendon Insertion and the Top of the Humeral Head is a Reliable Landmark: An Anatomic Study.

 This study aimed to analyze the distance between the superior edge of the pectoralis major and the top of the humeral head and evaluate whether this distance is a consistent measurement.  Twenty-two shoulders in eleven cadavers were dissected and the attachment of the pectoralis major tendon was preserved. Two distances were recorded with the help of digital vernier caliper: the distance between the upper edge of pectoralis major and tangent to the top of humeral head (PM-T) and the distance between the superomedial tip of greater tuberosity (GT) and the upper edge of the pectoralis major tendon (PM-G; ± standard error of the means).

A Study of Clinical Profile and Outcome of Acute Heart Failure in Elderly Patients.

Introduction: The significant increase of life expectancies over the last few decades, has lead to a major change in the morbidity and mortality profile of elders. Heart Failure (HF) is predominantly a disorder of the elderly with rates increasing exponentially with time.

Material And Methods: The Observational and prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Exploring a Tumor Spectrum in a Patient with Familial Angiolipomatosis.

Angiolipomas are uncommon spinal tumors which differ from their cutaneous counterparts in having larger caliber vascular stroma. Although slow growing, they can cause rapid spinal cord compression and sudden-onset sensorimotor symptoms due to vascular engorgement, hemorrhage, or thrombosis. The goal of surgery is spinal decompression, and favorable outcome is the rule.

Knowledge and Awareness of the Health Care Workers about the Hepatitis B Infection and their Vaccination Status in a Newly Started Medical College.

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of hepatitis B virus infection (HBI) and so the present study was carried out to assess the knowledge of HCWs in a tertiary care medical college about HBI and hepatitis B vaccine (HBV).

Method: After obtaining approval from Institutional Ethics Committee and informed consent from the study participants, HCWs that included teaching faculty, resident doctors, medical students, nurses, laboratory technicians, administrative staff and support staff (ward boys, attendants and sweepers) were administered a validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was applied for the categorical variables and the Chi-square test of association was used to assess the statistical significance of variables.

Cutaneous Pseudolymphoma Secondary to Facial Thread Lift Procedure.

Pseudolymphoma, refers to a heterogeneous group of benign reactive T-cell or B-cell lymphoproliferative processes of diverse causes that simulate cutaneous lymphomas clinically and/or histologically. Thread lift involves the elevation of sagging tissues for rejuvenating the face, which loses its elasticity and volume as one ages, by stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin. The incidence of complications with thread lift is comparatively low, like small ecchymosis, mild erythema, mild transitory hyperesthesia, and mild postoperative tumefaction.

Insertion anatomy of the pectoralis major tendon.

Background: Pectoralis major tendon tears are encountered in young active patients.

Methods: In 10 fresh cadaveric shoulders we measured-1. Proximal to distal insertion width of the pectoralis major tendon.

Successful Correction of Idiopathic Bilateral Flexion Deformity of Knee: A Rare Case Report.

Introduction: Bilateral Flexion Deformity commonly results secondary to cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, haemophilia etc. It is accompanied by valgus deformity and external rotation at knee in long standing cases secondary to the contracture of the iliotibial tract. Flexion deformity at knees is an impediment to the normal ambulation and is difficult to address.

Does Your Patient's Urine Turns Dark? Alkaptonuria and Low Back Ache: A Literature Review.

Introduction: Alkaptonuria is a very rare inborn error of amino acid metabolism due to deficient homogentisic acid (HGA) oxidase enzyme leading to accumulation of HGA in plasma, cartilage, other tissues of human body and its excretion in urine. It has both systemic and peripheral signs and symptoms. Though low back is a common symptom of alkaptonuria but, in the absence of ochronosis it is rare.

Efficacy and safety of oxum in treatment of chronic wounds.

Chronic wounds represent a major health burden contributing to substantial mortality, morbidity and costs. Several new treatment options are currently available, which has revolutionised the management of chronic wounds. The present study is a single centre, prospective, clinical trial comparing oxum (super oxidised water) and betadine as a topical treatment of chronic wounds conducted in 30 Indian patients, with 15 patients in each group.

Management of depression in primary care.

Countless publications document that most patients of depression are managed by the primary care physicians and only few cases are referred to psychiatrists. In the present article, the authors have discussed the relevant features in diagnosis and management of depression for the primary care physicians.

Acute poisoning in children.

This prospective study comprised 120 children brought to the hospital with the history of acute poisoning. Poisonings occurred accidentally in 116 cases (96.7%) and 78 cases (65%) were children aged 1-4 years.