Pregabalin for chronic cough due to lung cancer: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Developing effective therapies for cough in lung cancer is an unmet need Neuromodulators like pregabalin may act centrally as cough suppressants.

Methods: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study in patients with locally advanced/metastatic lung cancer and at least 2 weeks of moderate or severe cough. Randomization was 1:1 to pregabalin 300 mg orally daily or matching placebo, both administered for 9 weeks.

Avoidance and Management of Complications in Retrosigmoid Approach to Vestibular Schwannomas.

An experience with two rare complications during surgery of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) is presented, and measures to avoid and manage the complications are discussed.Case A: Spinal cord ischemia in semi-sitting position: A 47-year-old with a giant vestibular schwannoma (VS) underwent surgery through a retrosigmoid approach in the semi-sitting position. The intraoperative phase was uneventful, except for an episode of moderate hypotension.

Transient Osteoporosis of Hip as a Part of "Long COVID-19": A Case Series.

Introduction: Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) presents with symptoms such as groin pain, discomfort, and the presence of bone edema detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. We have observed an increase in the occurrence of TOH in patients following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Case Report: In this series, we present four cases of TOH that developed after COVID-19 infection.

Optimizing 5-aminosalicylate for moderate ulcerative colitis: expert recommendations from the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa Inflammatory Bowel Disease Coalition.

The lack of clear definition and classification for "moderate ulcerative colitis (UC)" creates ambiguity regarding the suitability of step-up versus top-down treatment approaches. In this paper, experts address crucial gaps in assessing and managing moderate UC. The Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa Inflammatory Bowel Disease Coalition comprised 24 experts who convened to share, discuss and vote electronically on management recommendations for moderate UC.

Beyond the bench: LGBTQ+ health equity after India's "no same-sex marriage" verdict.

LGBTQ+ people (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning people) experience systemic marginalisation and discrimination globally and throughout India.

Vascular Injury during Total Knee Replacement and Check List to Follow in its Management: Case Report.

Introduction: Vascular injury during total knee replacement (TKR) is a rare but potentially serious complication. Early recognition and prompt intervention are crucial for managing these injuries effectively. Interdisciplinary collaboration with a vascular surgeon is essential to optimize patient outcomes, minimizing the risk of limb loss and other long-term complications.

Current Practices in Genetic Testing for Prostate Cancer: The Indian Scenario.

Background: Despite genetic testing being recommended by international guidelines for the selection of targeted therapy for prostate cancer (PCa), limited data are available on genetic testing for PCa in India.

Objectives: The objective is to understand the current genetic testing practice pattern for PCa in India.

Materials And Methods: A panel of 9 experts developed and validated a premeeting online questionnaire comprising 12 objective questions.

Rest-fMRI-A Potential Substitute for Task-fMRI?

 The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rest-fMRI) in mapping language areas for preoperative planning, versus standard task-based techniques, which are at times difficult to perform in clinical settings. Our study also aimed to evaluate the overlap between language areas identified through rest-fMRI and the standard task-fMRI, in neurosurgical cases.  Using a seed-based analysis of rest-fMRI with multiple template seeds, we identified functionally connected language regions in patients undergoing preoperative language mapping.

Contribution of laboratory medicine and emerging technologies to cardiovascular risk reduction via exposome analysis: an opinion of the IFCC Division on Emerging Technologies.

This opinion article highlights the critical role of laboratory medicine and emerging technologies in cardiovascular risk reduction through exposome analysis. The exposome encompasses all external and internal exposures an individual faces throughout their life, influencing the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Integrating exposome data with genetic information allows for a comprehensive understanding of the multifactorial causes of CVD, facilitating targeted preventive interventions.

ISCCM Position Statement for Improving Gender Balance in Critical Care Medicine.

Unlabelled: Gender disparity in Critical Care Medicine (CCM) persists globally, with women being underrepresented. Female Intensivists remain a minority, facing challenges in academic and leadership positions at the workplace and within academic societies. The Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) recognized the need for addressing issues related to gender parity and constituted its first Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee in 2023.

Sialadenitis in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies Vasculitis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a pauci-immune vasculitis typically involving upper and lower respiratory tract involvement and crescentic glomerulonephritis. Salivary gland involvement in GPA is rare. When it occurs in GPA, it is commonly seen with sinonasal and lung involvement and rarely with renal involvement.

Core outcomes in nerve surgery: development of a core outcome set for common peroneal (fibular) neuropathy.

Objective: Common peroneal (fibular) neuropathy is the most common mononeuropathy of the lower extremity. Despite this, there are surprisingly few studies on the topic, and a knowledge gap remains in the literature. As one attempts to address this knowledge gap, a core outcome set (COS) is needed to guide the planning phases of future studies to allow synthesis and comparability of these studies.

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).

Evaluation of Ion Recombination Correction for Indigenously Developed Farmer Ion Chamber in Flattening Filter-Free Photon Beams.

Purpose And Aim: Modern generation linear accelerator (linac) either generates X-rays with a flattening filter (WFF beam) or without flattening filter free (FFF beam). The FFF beams are associated with a significantly higher dose per pulse compared to WFF beams due to the absence of a flattening filter and the corresponding attenuation caused by it. This results in increased ion recombination and a larger saturation correction factor (k).

Management of Pustular Psoriasis; The Way Ahead.

Pustular psoriasis is a specialized variant of psoriasis which can be life threatening if not treated at the earliest. The pathogenesis has been recently linked to the role of interleukin 36. Apart from the corticosteroids, systemic antipsoriatics like acitretin, cyclosporine and methotrexate have been used with some success though unpredictable.

Small Molecules in the Management of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Psoriasis is a common chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease associated with various comorbidities. Managing psoriasis is often challenging as the therapy is decided based on the area of the disease, associated comorbidities and impairment in quality of life, besides the patient's preference. Making progress in the development of new molecules that can be used topically or orally, effectively controlling the disease with minimal side effects and providing long-lasting remissions are the needs of the hour.

Biomarkers in Psoriasis: The Future of Personalised Treatment.

Psoriasis is a chronic and complex immune-mediated papulosquamous disease affecting almost 2% of the world population. The interaction between a genetically predisposed individual and environmental triggers leads to a vicious cycle involving autoreactive T cells, dendritic cells, keratinocytes and dermal cells. Up to 40% of the psoriasis cases develop disabling psoriatic arthritis and an equal number of patients also tend to develop metabolic syndrome as well as cardiovascular comorbidities; hence, this is no more considered to be a disease limited to skin only.

Long-Term Update of a Phase 3 Randomized Study Comparing Once-a-Week Versus Once-Every-3-Weeks Cisplatin Along With Radiation in Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: In the weekly-3-weekly study, cisplatin at 100 mg/m once-every-3-weeks led to superior locoregional control compared with cisplatin 30 mg/m once-a-week in combination with radical radiation for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC). We report the updated analysis of the study.

Methods And Materials: In this phase 3 open-label noninferiority study conducted between 2013 and 2017, 300 patients with LAHNSCC were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin 100 mg/m once-in-every-weeks or cisplatin 30 mg/m once-a-week, concurrently with radiation.