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.

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.

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.

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.