Projected impact of fast-tracking of anti-retroviral treatment coverage on vertical transmission of HIV in India.

One of the five high-level goals under Phase V of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) of the Government of India is the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV. In this paper, we estimate the potential impact of maintaining and enhancing the anti-retroviral treatment under the NACP in terms of averting new infections and vertical transmission rates vis-à-vis no intervention scenario. We used India's HIV Estimates 2022 models to create treatment coverage scenarios of no interventions, status quo, business as usual, on-track and fast-track scenarios from 2023 to 2030.

Augmenting progress on the elimination of vertical transmissions of HIV in India: Insights from Spectrum-based HIV burden estimations.

The government of India has adopted the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV as one of the five high-level goals under phase V of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP). In this paper, we present the data from HIV estimations 2021 for India and select States detailing the progress as well as the attributable causes for vertical transmissions. The NACP spearheads work on mathematical modelling to estimate HIV burden based on the periodically conducted sentinel surveillance for guiding program implementation and policymaking.

Practical Recommendations for the Use of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNI) in Heart Failure: Insights from Indian Cardiologists.

Heart failure is a significant public health concern characterized by notable rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite the presence of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), its utilization remains inadequate. This practical recommendation paper focuses on the utilization of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) as a pivotal treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF).

Diversity in HIV epidemic transitions in India: An application of HIV epidemiological metrices and benchmarks.

Background: The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) has emphasized on the incidence-prevalence ratio (IPR) and incidence-mortality ratio (IMR) to measure the progress in HIV epidemic control. In this paper, we describe the status of epidemic control in India and in various states in terms of UNAIDS's recommended metrices.

Method: The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) of India spearheads work on mathematical modelling to estimate HIV burden based on periodically conducted sentinel surveillance for providing guidance to program implementation and policymaking.

Reno protective role of amlodipine in patients with hypertensive chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension (HTN) are closely associated with an overlapping and intermingled cause and effect relationship. Decline in renal functions are usually associated with a rise in blood pressure (BP), and prolonged elevations in BP hasten the progression of kidney function decline. Regulation of HTN by normalizing the BP in an individual, thereby slowing the progression of kidney disease and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, can be effectively achieved by the anti-hypertensive use of calcium channel blockers (CCBs).

Sero-Surveillance to Monitor the Trend of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Transmission in India: Study Protocol for a Multi Site, Community Based Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Introduction: Large-scale sero-prevalence studies with representation from all age groups are required to estimate the true burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in the community. Serial serological surveys in fixed cohorts enable study of dynamics of viral transmission and correlates of immune response over time in the context of gradual introduction of COVID-19 vaccines and repeated upsurge of cases during the pandemic.

Methods: This longitudinal study will involve follow-up of a cohort of 25,000 individuals (5,000 per site) aged 2 years and above recruited from five existing demographic surveillance sites in India.

Multimodal opioid sparing onco-anesthesia: A consensus practice guideline from Society of Onco-Anesthesia and Perioperative Care (SOAPC).

Opioids are an indispensable part of perioperative pain management of cancer surgeries. Opioids do have some side effects and abuse potential, and some laboratory data suggest a possible association of cancer recurrence with perioperative opioid use. Opioid-free anesthesia and opioid-sparing anesthesia are emerging new concepts worldwide to safeguard patients from adverse effects of opioids and potential abuse.

District-level HIV estimates using the spectrum model in five states of India, 2017.

Decentralized response has been the hallmark of the National AIDS Control Programme in India. District-level HIV burden estimates quantifying the distribution of the epidemics are needed to enhance this decentralized response further to monitor the progress on prevention, testing, and treatment interventions. In this paper, we describe the methodology and results of district-level estimates using the Spectrum model piloted in 5 states of India under National AIDS Control Programme.

Extensive cervicothoracic posterior arch defects from C1 to T6 leading to myelopathy due to thoracic kyphosis in an adolescent boy.

Purpose: Limited dorsal myeloschisis, a form of cervical spinal dysraphism, is a rare anomaly and is typically associated with spinal cord tethering. The objective is to illustrate a rare dysraphic anomaly in the cervicothoracic spine causing myelopathy, not due to tethering but secondary to progressive kyphosis. To our knowledge, such an anomaly has not been described in the literature.

Complete Surgical Excision with Pre-operative Localization of Lesion Under CT-Guidance of Osteoid Osteoma of the Sacrum - A Case Report.

Introduction: Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone tumor. It occurs in epiphyseal and metaphyseal regions of long tubular bones of extremities. Around 10% of osteoid osteomas present in spine.

Effectiveness and Effect on Renal Parameters of Amlodipine vs. Other Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers in Patients with Essential Hypertension: Retrospective Observational Study Based on Real-World Evidence from Electronic Medical Records.

Introduction: The renoprotective effects of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have been established as non-inferior to other classes of antihypertensive drugs. Studying their effect on renal outcome parameters, specifically for amlodipine as monotherapy, in real-world settings can further help in expanding its usage among Indian patients. This study was performed to assess the effects of amlodipine and other dihydropyridine CCBs (cilnidipine, benidipine and azelnidipine) on renal parameters and effectiveness in blood pressure reduction in Indian patients.

Early Visual Functional Outcomes and Morphological Responses to Anti-Vascular Growth Factor Therapy in Diabetic Macular Oedema Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose: Diabetic macular oedema (DME) is a vision-threatening complication of diabetic retinopathy. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is useful for assessing DME. We performed serial OCTA measurements before and after 3 monthly intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections to understand its relationship with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and vascular indices.

Need for manual segmentation in optical coherence tomography angiography of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To compare the characteristics of eyes that had manual vs. automated segmentation of choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods: All patients with CNVM underwent OCTA using the Zeiss Angioplex Cirrus 5000.

Fighting Megaprosthetic Infections: What are the Chances of Winning?

Background: Megaprosthetic infections continue to be a leading mode of failure after limb salvage surgery. Though challenging, amputations can be avoided with proper management in majority of the cases. This study aims to describe the spectrum of mega-endoprosthetic infections at our institute and assess the treatment efficacy in these patients.

Does Denosumab Change the Giant Cell Tumor Treatment Strategy? Lessons Learned From Early Experience.

Background: Although giant cell tumors (GCTs) are benign, their aggressiveness and tendency to recur locally challenge the orthopaedic surgeon's ability to perform joint-preserving intralesional surgery with an acceptably low risk of local recurrence. Denosumab has emerged as a possible medical treatment of GCT because it seems to halt the progression of GCT, alleviate pain, and increase perilesional bone formation, but its exact role has been questioned, and specifically its efficacy and associated complications are not well characterized.

Questions/purposes: (1) Does denosumab reduce the risk of recurrence after resection or intralesional surgery? (2) What are the complications associated with the use of denosumab?

Methods: Fifty-four patients with 30 primary and 25 recurrent tumors between November 2013 and July 2016 were treated with denosumab after a confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of GCT.

Progesterone requires heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in human sperm to regulate motility and acrosome reaction.

Purpose: The aims of this paper were to study whether heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a regulator of sperm functions and to determine its association with oligoasthenozoospermia.

Methods: The levels of HSP90 in sperm lysates were measured by ELISA. Localization of HSP90 and its isoforms was evaluated by immunofluorescence.

Attitude of medical professionals regarding controversial issues in kidney donation/transplantation.

There is a dire need to evaluate new strategies to bridge the wide kidney demand-supply gap. The current study examined the attitude of medical professionals regarding controversial issues pertaining to transplantation. A questionnaire, presenting controversial issues related to kidney transplantation, in an agree-disagree format with supporting reasons, was employed.

Deletion of GOLGA2P3Y but not GOLGA2P2Y is a risk factor for oligozoospermia.

The AZFc locus on the human Y chromosome harbours several multicopy genes, some of which are required for spermatogenesis. It is believed that deletion of one or more copies of these genes is a cause of infertility in some men. GOLGA2LY is one of the genes in the AZFc locus and it exists in two copies, GOLGA2P2Y and GOLGA2P3Y.

Susceptibility of gr/gr rearrangements to azoospermia or oligozoospermia is dependent on DAZ and CDY1 gene copy deletions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the association of AZFc subdeletions (gr/gr, b1/b3 and b2/b3) and deletion of DAZ and CDY1 gene copies with male infertility

Methods: Three hundred twelve controls, 172 azoospermic and 343 oligozoospermic subjects were subjected to AZFc subdeletion typing by STS PCR. Deletion of DAZ and CDY1 gene copies was done using sequence family variant analysis. Sperm concentration and motility were compared between men with and without AZFc subdeletions.

Chronic dry cough: Diagnostic and management approaches.

Cough is the most common symptom for which medical treatment is sought in the outpatient setting. Chronic dry cough poses a great diagnostic and management challenge due to myriad etiologies. Chronic cough has been commonly considered to be caused by gastroesophageal reflux, post-nasal drip or asthma.

Determination of the nature and origin of the metallic foreign particles appearing on the iris after phacoemulsification.

Purpose: To determine the nature and the origin of metallic foreign particles appearing on the iris after phacoemulsification surgery.

Setting: P.D.

Co-existence of peri-ampullary carcinoma with peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenopathy.

Context: Pancreatic tuberculosis and peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenitis are rare, mimicking various pathologies of the pancreas. The coexistence of peri-ampullary malignancy with peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenitis has not been reported.

Case Report: We present the case of a young woman who had been operated on with a preoperative diagnosis of peri-ampullary adenocarcinoma in whom a frozen section of regional lymph nodes revealed tuberculosis.