Exploring the contribution of cancer palliative care development toward alleviating the human crisis of suffering in low- and middle-income countries: A framework synthesis protocol.

Objectives: Inadequate access to cancer care, high mortality, and out-of-pocket expenditure contribute to health-related suffering in low- and middle-income countries, making palliative care a relevant option. How palliative care development has alleviated suffering is not systematically studied, necessitating this review's conduct. The objective of this systematic review with a framework synthesis approach is to identify and map the dimensions and indicators of cancer palliative care development and the components of integration between cancer and palliative care in LMICs.

Inhibitory control and working memory using saccadic eye movements in primary glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathic disorder that significantly impacts the activities of daily life (ADLs) of individuals. Emerging studies indicate degenerative changes in cortical and subcortical regions in individuals with glaucoma, which are associated with cognitive processes and oculomotor control. Cognitive processes involving top-down processes such as attention, planning, task management and execution, are crucial for meeting the demands of everyday tasks, and are affected in glaucoma.

Molecular profiling and therapeutic tailoring to address disease heterogeneity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, heterogeneous, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody production, complement activation, and immune complex deposition. SLE predominantly affects young, middle-aged, and child-bearing women with episodes of flare-up and remission, although it affects males at a much lower frequency (female: male; 7:1 to 15:1). Technological and molecular advancements have helped in patient stratification and improved patient prognosis, morbidity, and treatment regimens overall, impacting quality of life.

A comprehensive approach to continuous quality improvement of massive transfusion by developing key performance indicators.

Background And Objectives: To develop key performance indicators (KPI) for use in quality assessment of our institutional goal-directed massive transfusion (GDMT).

Materials And Methods: A team comprising our transfusion and emergency medicine departments carried out a cross-sectional data analysis of GDMT in adult patients from January 2021 to December 2022. The study was rooted in the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control (DMAIC) approach.

Next generation sequencing to detect pathogens causing paediatric community-acquired pneumonia - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Paediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major public health challenge in children, requiring accurate and timely diagnosis of causative pathogens for effective antibiotic treatment. We aimed to explore the utility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in precise diagnosis of pediatric CAP and its effect on treatment outcome of these children.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare NGS-guided antibiotic therapy with conventional methods in pediatric CAP.

Assessing palliative care practices in intensive care units and interpreting them using the lens of appropriate care concepts. An umbrella review.

Purpose: Intensive care units (ICUs) have significant palliative care needs but lack a reliable care framework. This umbrella review addresses them by synthesising palliative care practices provided at end-of-life to critically ill patients and their families before, during, and after ICU admission.

Methods: Seven databases were systematically searched for systematic reviews, and the umbrella review was conducted according to the guidelines laid out by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).

Nano-Drug Carriers for Targeted Therapeutic Approaches in Oral Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Nanotechnology has shown potential in treating different types of cancers. In particular, nano-drug delivery systems (DDSs) offer a promising strategy for treating oral cancer. By customizing therapy and improving drug delivery, these systems can improve outcomes for patients.

Clinicopathological Profile of Primary Extra Nodal Lymphoma from a Tertiary Care Center in South India.

Background & Objective: Primary extranodal lymphoma (pENL) is a malignant lymphoid neoplasm that presents with the main bulk of disease at an extranodal site. The incidence of primary pENL has risen sharply in recent years due to the advent of better diagnostic modalities. Diagnosing pENL can be challenging due to its morphological overlap with other tumors native to the site of origin.

Exploring the atlantic part of the vertebral artery in the South Indian population and its implications in spine surgery.

Study Design: A descriptive, quantitative cross-sectional study of the atlantic part (V3) of the vertebral artery (VA).

Purpose: This study aimed to bridge the research gap in the morphometry of the V3 segment of the VA in the South Indian population.

Overview Of Literature: The microsurgical anatomy of this segment of the VA has been explored in various populations, and a thorough understanding of the anatomy and course of the VA, particularly the V3 segment, is essential to prevent iatrogenic complications.

A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Root Caries Amongst the Elderly Population in Udupi District, Karnataka State, India.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of root surface carious lesions among the nondiabetic and diabetic elderly population and its association with various risk factors.

Methods: An observational analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 800 elderly participants, 431 males and 369 females, aged 50 years and above, with a minimum of ten teeth present, with 400 being diabetic and 400 nondiabetic from the various hospitals of the Udupi district. Demographics, socioeconomic status, oral hygiene practices, oral abusive habits, and history of type 2 diabetes were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire followed by an intraoral examination to assess root caries.

TVS-guided cervical strain elastography is more effective than measuring cervical length as an independent predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery in asymptomatic, high-risk women during the mid-trimester.

Introduction: TVS (Transvaginal Sonography) guided Cervical strain elastography (CSE) is now available in tertiary referral centers of LMICs (Low- and Middle-Income Countries). TVS cervical length (CL) assessment is being used routinely. Still, elastography is not used in clinical settings, although enough evidence suggests good predictive value towards sPTD (spontaneous Preterm Delivery).

Comparing Obtura Vascular Closure Device to Manual Compression for Achieving Hemostasis After Percutaneous Transfemoral Procedures: A Randomized Study.

Purpose: This trial was designed and aimed to compare safety and efficacy of Obtura™ vascular closure device (VCD) to manual compression (MC) among patients undergoing transfemoral catheterization.

Material And Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial of Obtura VCD against MC randomized patients in 1:1 (n=268; 134:134) ratio. Safety and efficacy were measured by primary endpoints (time to hemostasis [TTH] and deployment success) and secondary endpoints which included technical success, device-related adverse events, and time to ambulation (TTA).

Tailoring transfusion strategy using thromboelastogram in goal-directed massive transfusion: Impact on transfusion requirements and clinical outcomes.

Background And Objective: We compared the overall clinical outcome in formula-based protocol (1:1:1) and thromboelastogram (TEG)-guided goal-based massive transfusion (MT) in the resuscitation of patients with hemorrhagic shock.

Materials And Methods: This was a retro-prospective case-control study conducted over a period of 2 years among the patients who received MT using a 1:1:1 fixed ratio protocol (controls, Group A) and goal-based protocol (cases, Group B) guided through TEG. Patients were matched for the type and severity of the clinical conditions.

Falx cerebelli and its associated occipital venous sinus: an anatomical study.

Purpose: This study presents the morphological variation of falx cerebelli, which helps to identify the possible variations in the presence of the occipital sinus in the posterior margin of the fold whose damage during midline incision of posterior cranial fossa surgeries may lead to internal hemorrhage.

Method: The study was conducted on 48 cranial cavities exploring the falx cerebelli. Variations in the number of folds, its proximal and distal attachments, and the drainage pattern of the occipital sinus were evaluated by histological processing of the upper 1/3rd section of the falx fold.

Flattening the learning curve - Early experience of robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement in spine surgery.

Aims And Objectives: To determine accuracy of pedicle screws placed by freehand, fluoroscopy-assistance and robotic-assistance with intraoperative image acquisition, and determine the presence of learning curve in robotic spine surgery in a prospective single centre study.

Materials And Methods: In a prospective study, a total of 1120 pedicle screws were placed in Freehand group (n = 175), 1250 screws were placed in fluoroscopy-assisted group (n = 172), and 1225 screws were inserted in Robotic-assisted group(n = 180). Surgical parameters and screw accuracy were analyzed between the three groups.

Culture-Free Whole Genome Sequencing of Using Ligand-Mediated Bead Enrichment Method.

Background: Direct whole genome sequencing (WGS) of () can be used as a tool to study drug resistance, mixed infections, and within-host diversity. However, WGS is challenging to obtain from clinical samples due to low number of bacilli against a high background.

Methods: We prospectively collected 34 samples (sputum, n = 17; bronchoalveolar lavage, n = 13; and pus, n = 4) from patients with active tuberculosis (TB).

Impact of USMLE Step 1 transition to pass/fail scoring system on medical students' anxiety, sleep quality, and burnout.

Introduction: Originally designed to evaluate the application of foundational scientific knowledge in clinical contexts, the United States Medical License Exam (USMLE) Step 1 evolved into a comparative tool for assessing candidates with similar educational foundations. This transition heightened the pressure on medical students to excel in the exam. In response, collaborative efforts involving the National Board of Medical Examiners prompted a change from reporting scores to a pass/fail system.

Efficacy of comprehensive structured exercise program on claudication pain and quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral arterial disease.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease is one of the leading complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The primary symptom of peripheral arterial disease is claudication pain. Exercise is known to improve the claudication pain, thereby improving the quality of life.

Report of renal allograft tuberculosis a decade after transplant: challenges in diagnosis and management.

Post-transplant infections constitute an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients worldwide. Tuberculosis (TB) contributes significantly to this burden in endemic countries, such as India. We report a case of renal allograft TB, 10 years post-transplantation, diagnosed during a routine outpatient visit.

A national survey of current immunohematologic testing practices for the diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in India.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a common term for several disorders that differ from one another in terms of etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment. Management of patients with AIHA has become increasingly evidence-based in recent years. While this development has resulted in therapeutic improvements, it also carries increased requirements for optimal diagnosis using more advanced laboratory tests.

Logistics and administration-related stressors among young physicians working in the emergency medicine (EM) department and their perceived job satisfaction in EM department across hospitals of India: a nationwide multicentric digital survey.

Objective: Emergency medicine (EM) is a growing specialty in India with the board approving training programme commencing only since 2009. This study aimed to identify the challenges faced by EM department personnel in the country and to obtain valuable insight into the concerns and problems experienced by them.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional digital survey conducted among EM department personnel in teaching institutions across India.

Bing-Neel syndrome: A rare complication of waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.

Central nervous system involvement is a rare complication of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) accounting for 1-2% cases. This syndrome is called Bing-Neel syndrome (BNS) after the people who first described it in 1936. Although WM has a good prognosis, with the onset of this syndrome, most patients fare poorly with a high mortality rate.