A new guide for basic psychological support for persons affected by neglected tropical diseases: A peer support tool suitable for persons with a diagnosis of leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.

Background: People with disabilities due to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF), often encounter situations of stigma and discrimination that significantly impact their mental wellbeing. Mental wellbeing services are often not available at the peripheral level in NTD-endemic countries, and there is a need for such services. Basic psychological support for persons with NTDs (BPS-N) from peers is an important potential solution for addressing mental wellbeing problems.

Three decades of research in lymphatic filariasis-lessons learned.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), one of the 21 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) which is the second leading cause for disability globally. , and are the parasites causing this infection. World Health Assembly in 1997 declared LF to be eliminated and the Global Program to eliminate LF (GPELF) was launched by WHO in 2000 with the two strategies viz, 1) stop transmission of infection through Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and 2) to alleviate the suffering of the people affected with the disease through Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP.

Managing Lymphedema Induced by Lymphatic Filariasis: Implementing and Improving Care at the Individual and Programmatic Levels.

Providing and improving the care of patients suffering from lymphedema remains an essential goal for the clinical management of populations affected by lymphatic filariasis. Although the Essential Package of Care (EPC) recommended by the WHO leads to important positive benefits for many of these lymphedema patients, it is important to continue to address the challenges that remain both in quantifying these effects and in ensuring optimal care. This report, based on the authors' scientific and field experience, focuses on the impact and significance of lymphedema, its clinical presentation, current treatment approaches, and the importance of lymphedema care to the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.

A Cadaveric Study on the High Origin of the Radial Artery.

Introduction: Among the upper limb's vascular variations, the radial artery's high origin from the axillary artery is rare, and literature regarding the same is limited. Anomalous origin of radial artery can cause failure of radial approach to coronary angiography and reconstructive surgeries of upper limbs and hence is of clinical significance. With this background, the current cadaveric study was planned to describe the branching pattern of the axillary artery and its variations.

Analyzing Mortality Patterns and Location of Death in Patients With Malignant Esophageal Neoplasms: A Two-Decade Study in the United States.

Background Esophageal neoplasm carries significant implications for end-of-life care. Despite medical advancements, disparities in the location of death persist. Understanding the factors influencing the place of death for esophageal neoplasm patients is crucial for delivering patient-centered care.

A Case Report of Plasmacytoma in a 28-Year-Old Patient: Bridging the Age Gap in a Rare Presentation.

Plasmacytoma, an uncommon malignancy originating from plasma cells, predominantly manifests in the elderly demographic. However, its incidence among young adults remains infrequent. Herein, we present a case involving a 28-year-old young adult diagnosed with solitary bone plasmacytoma.

Unraveling Abdominal Migraine in Adults: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

Abdominal migraine is a condition characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain accompanied by migraine-associated symptoms, primarily affecting pediatric populations. Its occurrence in adults is often overlooked due to limited literature on adult abdominal migraine. This article provides an overview of the current understanding and management of abdominal migraine in adult populations, including the diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology, differentiating features of other associated gastrointestinal pain syndromes, and various treatment approaches based on available literature.

The Sociodemographic Profile of Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Serious Mental Illness in Kerala - A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Older adults with serious mental illness (OASMI) have to manage the twin challenges of old age and mental illness. Understanding their characteristics will help policymakers and researchers plan tailored interventions. The profile of OASMI is not described in any publication from India, and this paper addresses that gap.

Clinicoetiological study on vaginal discharge among sexually active women attending a tertiary center in North Kerala, India.

Background: Vaginal discharge is a common complaint among women attending the sexually transmissible infections (STIs) clinic and is a cause for concern and mental distress. It can be attributed to physiological or pathological causes. This study aims to understand the prevalence of various etiologies of vaginal discharge, which would help frame health policies based on local needs.

Leiomyoma of Kidney.

Renal leiomyomas are rare benign mesenchymal tumors of kidney that affect adults of second to sixth decade. They can present as small asymptomatic multifocal lesions that are identified only in autopsy, or as large solitary lesions that cause pain and abdominal distention. Histomorphologically it appears exactly like its counterpart in other soft tissues.

Use of Anti-epileptic Drugs for Post Traumatic Seizure: A Global Survey.

Background: Post traumatic seizures (PTS) and post traumatic epilepsy (PTE) are potential consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is no consensus regarding its management among treating doctors.

Purpose: We have undertaken a global survey to assess the variability of management practices of PTS and PTE and highlight the pressing need to formulate uniform practice guidelines.

Complementary administration of curcumin in PCOS: a systematic review.

Introduction: The clinical benefit of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, among women diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is unclear. In this systematic review, we aim to provide a brief review of the existing literature on the association between curcumin supplementation and PCOS.

Evidence Acquisition: Published articles relevant to the topic was obtained through extensive search using relevant keywords such as "polycystic ovarian syndrome," "PCOS," "turmeric," and "curcumin.

A Cross-sectional Study on Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.

It is well known that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, predominantly due to cardiovascular complications. Recent literature report pulmonary hypertension (PH) as a common accompaniment of CKD and in majority of these cases, secondary causes of PH are not evident. In this study, we looked at the prevalence and possible risk factors of PH in stage 5 CKD patients with a special focus on unexplained PH.

Validation of an Ultrashort Screening Tool for Specific Learning Disorder Among School-Going Children.

Background: Specific learning disorder (SLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairment in reading, written expression, and arithmetic. It can be identified during early school days itself. There is a lack of a screening tool for SLD that is properly validated and easy to administer.

Varicella gangrenosa: A rare chickenpox complication.

Varicella gangrenosa is a rare but life-threatening dermatological complication of infection with varicella-zoster virus. A healthy 37-year-old male who had been diagnosed with varicella 20 days back was admitted to our hospital with complaints of fever and painful necrotic skin lesions. Physical examination revealed multiple round to oval ulcers covered with eschar predominantly over arms, lower limbs, back of trunk and flanks.

Morpholine-based chalcones as dual-acting monoamine oxidase-B and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: synthesis and biochemical investigations.

Nine compounds () containing the morpholine moiety were assessed for their inhibitory activities against monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Most of the compounds potently inhibited MAO-B; most potently inhibited with an IC value of 0.030 µM, followed by (0.

Why are people dying due to tuberculosis? A study from Alappuzha District, Kerala, India.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB)is a major killer disease worldwide. It is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause from a single infectious agent. In India also, TB kills about 480,000 persons every year and more than 1400 every day.

Community engaged breast cancer screening program in Kannur District, Kerala, India: A ray of hope for early diagnosis and treatment.

Introduction: Community based programs can assist in early detection and improved survival of breast cancer.

Aims: To assess the feasibility and explore challenges of a district-wide door-to-door breast cancer screening program "ASWAS" conducted in Kannur district, Kerala, India from 2011 to 2014. METHODS: Aggregate data from survey records were collected in terms of the population screened, referred, diagnosed, and treated.

Neurosurgery videos on online video sharing sites: The next best teacher?

Background: E-learning platforms, especially the online neurosurgical video sharing sites, are playing a key role in the dissemination of knowledge related to the essential steps of operative neurosurgery.

Aim: A national survey was undertaken to assess the utility of neurosurgical operative videos exhibited on the online video-sharing sites.

Materials And Methods: Resident trainees in neurosurgery, as well as junior and senior consultant neurosurgeons practicing in India were provided, on the Google platform, a questionnaire consisting of nine multiple-choice questions and a space for remarks.

"Small small interventions, big big roles"- a qualitative study of patient, care-giver and health-care worker experiences of a palliative care programme in Kerala, India.

Background: Home-based palliative care is an essential resource for many communities. We conducted a qualitative study to explore perceptions of a home-based palliative care programme in Kerala, India, from the perspective of patients, their care-givers and the doctors, nurses and volunteers running the intervention.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was carried out.

Elimination of lymphatic filariasis in South East Asia.

Expanding treatment options alongside ensuring high coverage of mass drug administration can accelerate progress in elimination of lymphatic filariasis, say

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 in Herpes Genitalis: A Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Study from Kerala.

Background: Herpes genitalis is an ulcerating sexually transmitted infection, the clinical importance of which lies in its ability to produce painful and recurrent disease in addition to its potential role as a cofactor in acquisition and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. In recent years, there are increasing reports of genital herpes due to herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 from various parts of the world. Molecular diagnostic methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have got both diagnostic and prognostic significance in genital herpes.

Population-based cancer screening through community participation: Outcome of a district wide oral cancer screening program from rural Kannur, Kerala, India.

Background: Oral cancer is a major public health challenge, and about one-fifth of all oral cancer cases reported globally are from India. In spite of the potential for early detection by simple visual examination, the majority of patients report in later stages of the disease, especially in low and middle-income countries. We report the results from a district level population-based oral cancer screening program.