Patterns of Occupational Exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Health Care Personnel in a Tertiary Care Institute in South India - A Retrospective Case Series.

Background: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for occupational human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposure involves the comprehensive measures used to prevent transmission of blood-borne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus through various strategies such as first aid, counseling, risk assessment, relevant laboratory investigations with informed consent, the provision of short-term anti-retroviral drugs, and follow-up testing.

Aim And Objectives: We sought to investigate the patterns and causes of occupational exposure in health care workers (HCWs) in our institute and the usage of PEP in our center, a tertiary care hospital in south India.

Materials And Methods: The study involved a retrospective analysis of data extracted from the records of PEP usage from the anti-retroviral treatment (ART) center attached to the dermatology, venereology and leprosy out-patient department of a tertiary care center in south India.

Comparison of conventional needle holding technique and pen holding method of needle holding for real-time ultrasound-guided internal jugular venous cannulation - A randomised parallel-group study.

Background And Aims: Ultrasound-guided central venous (CV) cannulation is the standard of care for inserting CV catheter in the right internal jugular vein (RIJV). However, mechanical complications can still occur. The primary objective of this study was to compare the incidence of posterior vessel wall puncture (PVWP) using conventional needle holding technique with pen holding method of needle holding technique for IJV cannulation.

Clinical profile and outcomes of pediatric scrub typhus associated with elevated hepatic transaminases.

Background: Hepatic transaminase (HT) elevation is frequently seen in children with scrub typhus (ST), but the clinical implication of this common finding is not known.

Objective: To describe the clinical profile and outcome of pediatric ST with elevated hepatic transaminase.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, all children < 12 years of age presenting with fever for ≥ 5 days and positive immunoglobulin M (IgM) serology for ST were included.

Myocardial Bridging in Cases of Sudden Death and its Association with Clinicopathologic Characteristics.

Background: Myocardial bridging (MB) is the course of the epicardial segment of a coronary artery within the myocardium. The systolic compression of this segment called the tunneled segment may lead to alterations in blood flow to the heart. We have studied the gross and microscopic features of MB in cases of sudden cardiac death and analyzed its characteristics and whether there is any association with other clinicopathological characteristics which may help us to understand the pathogenesis and risk stratification.

Role of Doxycycline as an Osteoarthritis Disease-Modifying Drug.

Doxycycline is a drug that has been proposed to modify osteoarthritis (OA) progression, in addition to its role as an antibiotic. However, available evidence thus far comprises sporadic reports, with no consensus on its benefits. Hence, this review attempts to analyze the evidence available thus far on the role of doxycycline as a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) in knee osteoarthritis.

Voice from the frontline and learning for the future: A qualitative descriptive study on wider perspectives of frontline nurses in India during the COVID 19 global pandemic.

Objective: This study was conducted to explore frontline nurses' experiences of the impact of COVID 19 pandemic and suggestions for improvement in the healthcare system, policy and practice in the future.

Method: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Frontline nurses who were involved in providing care to patients affected with COVID 19 in four designated COVID units from the Eastern, Southern and Western regions of India were interviewed during January to July 2021.

Perceptions of medical undergraduate students toward biomedical research - A sequential, explanatory, mixed-method study from Puducherry, South India.

Background: Biomedical research is not given adequate attention during undergraduation due to the failure of the medical curriculum to motivate the students to take up research, teach the research methodology, and emphasize the scope of research in the future. Our objective was to study the perceptions of medical undergraduate students toward biomedical research and to explore the facilitators and barriers to biomedical research.

Materials And Methods: This was an explanatory, sequential, mixed-method study.

Recent advances in airway management.

Airway management is a core skill essential for anaesthesiologists and health care providers involved in resuscitation and acute care of patients. Advancements in airway management are continuously evolving. This narrative review highlights the recent advancements with respect to innovations, tools, techniques, guidelines, and research in both technical and non-technical aspects of airway management.

Recent advances in critical care: Part II.

With the increasing number of critically ill patients being admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), newer techniques and treatment modalities continue to evolve for their adequate management. Thus, it has become imperative to understand existing tools and resources, and utilise or repurpose them to achieve better results that can decrease morbidity and mortality. In this writeup, we chose five areas of interest, including analgosedation, role of colloids, recent advancements in the management of respiratory failure, the role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and newer antimicrobials.

A Histopathological Study of Endometrial Biopsy Samples in Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is the most common health issue in women, defined as any bleeding pattern that differs in frequency, duration, and amount. Endometrial sampling and its histopathological examination is the first-line test in patients presenting with AUB. The aim of this study was to analyze the histopathological patterns of endometrium in women with AUB and to find the predominant histopathologic pattern in the different age groups of women with AUB.

Unusual Cause of Neonatal Stertor.

We report a case of neonatal respiratory distress caused by an epignathus. This rare tumour, arising from the basisphenoid and protruding from the mouth, is associated with high perinatal mortality. We highlight unique clinico-radiological findings and multidisciplinary approach for a successful outcome.

Relationship between burnout, effort-reward imbalance, and insomnia among Informational Technology professionals.

Background: Work in informational technology (IT) professionals is highly competitive and stressful, leading to job stress. This can lead to burnout, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), and poor sleep quality.

Materials And Methods: The present study examined associations of ERI, burnout, and poor sleep quality among IT professionals using data from 200 software engineers (mean age of 29.

Scrotal Abdomen: Case Report and Management Principles.

Hernias extending beyond the midpoint of the inner thigh in the standing position are called giant inguinal hernias or scrotal abdomen. They are rarely seen in common surgical practice. Huge inguinal hernias occur after years of neglect by the patient or in areas that are inaccessible to surgical services.

Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis (AST) With Thyroid Abscess: A Rare and Potentially Fatal Neck Infection.

Thyroid abscess, although rare, is a condition that usually occurs as a sequela of acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) which is an infection of the thyroid gland. The infrequent occurrence of thyroid abscess is due to the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of the gland which renders it resistant to infections. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can have adverse outcomes and serious complications such as septicaemia, descending necrotising mediastinitis, extension into deep spaces of the neck, and tracheal or oesophageal perforation.

Association of Hypothyroidism With Low Serum Ferritin Levels and Iron-Deficiency Anemia During the First Trimester of Pregnancy.

Background The association between hypothyroidism and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy is not well established. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between hypothyroidism and IDA during the first trimester of pregnancy. Methodology In this study, a total of 144 pregnant women were included.

Assessment of mental health status among adolescents in Puducherry, India - A mixed method study.

Context: Adolescence is a crucial period during which biological and psychosocial changes occur in an individual. The prevalence of mental disorders among Indian adolescents was 7.3%.

Analysis of motivating factors for eye donation among families of eye donors in South India - A questionnaire-based study.

Purpose: To report the factors influencing eye donation among families of successful eye donors in India.

Methods: The consenting family members of 434 deceased individuals who donated eyes between April 2019 and March 2020 were retrospectively interviewed via a telephonic questionnaire survey. Details regarding the donors and their families, motivating factors for eye donation, and time taken for tissue recovery were collected and analyzed.

Evaluation of Modified Extended Sick Neonate Score to Predict In-Hospital Mortality among Newborns Admitted to Resource-Poor Settings in Rural India.

Objectives: To devise a score based on eight extended sick neonatal score (ESNS) variables by adding two more variables, birth weight, and gestational age to check its efficacy.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 521 neonates admitted from January 2018 to June 2020 in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care center. The proposed score has the following components, respiratory effort, heart rate, axillary temperature, capillary refill time, random blood sugar, pulse oximeter saturation, Moro reflex, modified Downes score, gestation age, and birth weight.

Sensitizing the medical undergraduates to qualitative research: In the context of experiential learning debriefings.

Background: The role of medical undergraduates is limited while interacting with the community related to issues involving human behavior. Since qualitative research seeks to build a holistic understanding of social phenomena, we designed this project to expose them to the basics of qualitative research in a real-world setting of experiential learning. The aim of this study is to sensitize the medical undergraduates to the basics of qualitative research and able to apply it in the context of experiential learning in the community.

Stress and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clear Mind, Happy Colon.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition whose prevalence in the general population worldwide is increasing at an exponential pace. Many risk factors affect the incidence, progression, and overall outcome of IBD, one of them being psychological stress. This study examined the relationship between psychological stress and inflammatory bowel disease.