Role of stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial epidermoid tumors: a systematic review to assess its safety, efficacy, and complication profile.

Background: Even a gross total resection of a benign epidermoid tumor (ET) carries a high risk of recurrence. The management strategy mostly involves redo surgical excision but at a significant cost of morbidity and mortality. The role of adjuvant radiation therapies in this scenario is still undefined.

Multipronged strategy for protection and motivation of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a real-life study.

Objective: We aimed to assess risk of COVID-19 infection & seroprotection status in healthcare workers (HCWs) in both hospital and community settings following an intensive vaccination drive in India.

Setting: Tertiary Care Hospital.

Methods: We surveyed COVID-19 exposure risk, personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance, vaccination status, mental health & COVID-19 infection rate across different HCW cadres.

A cross-sectional pilot study to estimate the frequency of minor blood group alleles and phenotypes in RhD-negative North Indian blood donors by DNA microarray analysis.

Introduction: There are scarce data on Indian blood donors with respect to blood group phenotypes using molecular diagnostic modalities. Hence, we planned to estimate frequencies of blood group alleles/phenotypes using DNA microarray analysis in the north Indian RhD-negative blood donor population. With this initial pilot study, we plan to expand it to our entire donor population.

Transfusion medicine hackathon: Nurturing the innovative ideas to revolutionize voluntary blood donation.

Background And Objective: Blood transfusion is an essential component of health care. However, several issues can hamper the promotion and sustainability of voluntary blood donation programs. This article is about a hackathon in the field of transfusion medicine that was designed to stimulate original ideas to promote voluntary blood donation.

Transfusion efficacy of leucoreduced packed red blood cells prepared by two different methods: A randomized controlled trial in transfusion-dependent thalassaemia patients (FUEL trial).

Background And Objectives: Great variations may be observed in the haemoglobin (Hb) content of packed red blood cell (PRBC) units prepared by different methods. This study aimed to assess the Hb increment in thalassaemia major patients transfused with leucoreduced PRBCs (LPRBCs) prepared by two different methods: (i) standard leucoreduced PRBCs (SLPRBCs) and (ii) leucoreduced PRBCs prepared by a new method where leucoreduction of whole blood is done first (NLPRBCs).

Materials And Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled trial included 80 adult thalassaemia major patients who were randomized into two groups of 40 each.

Real world data of Ewing sarcoma from a resource-limited setting with poor compliance to treatment leading to poor outcomes.

Background: There is limited data from India on Ewing sarcoma (ES) patients. We analysed the demographic and clinical profile of ES patients, the systemic chemotherapy, local treatment and outcomes in patients with localised, metastatic and recurrent disease.

Methods: Data of ES patients reporting from 2010 to 2019 to a tertiary care referral centre in north India was evaluated.

Hyperbilirubinemia in Neonates with Blood Group Incompatibilities - a bane or a boon for the management.

Objectives: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, or newborn jaundice, is a common condition caused by high bilirubin levels. Blood group incompatibility between mother and baby is a major cause. This study examined the link between different blood group incompatibilities and their management in newborns with jaundice.

Predictors and Outcomes of Extubation Failure in Preterm Neonates: A Systematic Review.

Context: Extubation failure (EF) is common in preterm neonates and may be associated with adverse outcomes.

Objective: To systematically review and meta-analyze the existing literature on predictors and outcomes of EF in preterm neonates.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Embase (OvidSP), CINAHL (EBSCOHost), and Cochrane Library (Wiley) from 1995 onward.

Current Concepts in Fluid Resuscitation and Vasopressor Use in Cirrhosis.

Critically ill patients with cirrhosis and liver failure not uncommonly have hypotension due to multifactorial reasons, that include hyperdynamic state with increased cardiac index, low systemic vascular resistance due to portal hypertension, following the use of beta blocker or diuretic therapy, and severe sepsis. These changes are mediated by microvascular alterations in the liver, systemic inflammation, activation of renin angiotensin aldosterone system, and vasodilatation due to endothelial dysfunction. Hemodynamic assessment includes measuring inferior vena cava indices, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), in addition to arterial waveform analysis, or pulmonary artery pressures, and lactate clearance to guide fluid resuscitation.

A multimedia tool for infection prevention and control practices in the intensive care unit: a participatory interventional before-after study.

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices by critical care nurses are crucial in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI).

Aim: To implement an integrative approach to developing a set of IPC practices and disseminating information on the IPC practices through an educational multimedia tool to improve compliance with the practices.

Methods: This participatory interventional before-after study was conducted in a single tertiary care centre's cardiac surgical intensive care unit (ICU) from May 2022 to March 2023.

Access to timely cancer treatment initiation in India: extent, determinants and trends.

Background: Treatment delays are significantly associated with advanced stage, poor response to treatment, increased mortality risk, poor health outcomes, increased healthcare expenditures among cancer patients. However, factors associated with these delays have not yet been robustly evaluated. In order to bridge this gap, we determined the delayed time to treatment initiation (TTI) among cancer patients in India, ascertained its determinants, and assessed the trends of delayed TTI.

Clinical features and outcomes of total pancreatic lipomatosis with chronic pancreatitis: a case series.

Background: Fatty changes in the pancreas are common, whereas total pancreatic lipomatosis (PL) is rare. Commonly associated with various components of metabolic syndrome and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease, total PL can have various etiologies and can manifest with severe pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

Method: We retrospectively analysed the clinical profile and management outcomes of 8 patients (mean age: 37.

Effect of isotonic sodium bicarbonate infusion on perioperative acid-base status among patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for perforation peritonitis (ISABEL trial): a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Perioperative metabolic acidosis negatively affects patient outcomes. Perioperative fluid therapy has a clinically significant effect on acid-base balance. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of isotonic sodium bicarbonate infusion (ISB) versus balanced crystalloid solution (BCS) on perioperative acid-base balance, in terms of postoperative base excess, among patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for perforation peritonitis.

Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group expert consensus statement on the peri-operative management of non-small cell lung cancer.

The peri-operative management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in earlier stage disease has seen significant advances in recent years with the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapy. However, many unanswered questions and challenges remain, including the application of clinical trial data to routine clinical practice. Recognising the unique demographic profile of Asian patients with NSCLC and heterogeneous healthcare systems, the Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group (ATORG) convened a consensus meeting in Singapore on 26 April 2024 to discuss relevant issues spanning diagnostic testing to post-neoadjuvant treatment considerations and future directions.

Mutations in Necroptosis-Related Genes Reported in Breast Cancer: A Cosmic and Uniport Database-Based Study.

Breast cancer (BC) now holds the top position as the primary reason of cancer-related fatalities worldwide, overtaking lung cancer. BC is classified into diverse categories depending on histopathological type, hormone receptor status, and gene expression profile, with ongoing evolution in their classifications. Cancer initiates and advances when there is a disruption in cell death pathways.

Effectiveness of a Neurocritical Care Course with Problem-Based Learning and Discussion Format in Asia.

Numerous barriers hinder the effective delivery of neurologic care as well as the education of health care professionals in the low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study assessed the knowledge of the participants after Comprehensive Neurocritical Care Course (CN3C) in the LMICs. Data from 177 participants were collected and analyzed.

Basal and stimulated inhibin B in pubertal disorders.

Pubertal disorders in the form of delayed puberty (DP) or precocious puberty (PP) can cause considerable anxiety to both children and parents. Since the clinical and biochemical signatures of self-limiting and permanent conditions overlap considerably, it can be hard to determine whether to offer them reassurance or intervention. Researchers have thus long been searching for a robust test to indicate that the process of endogenous puberty is underway and is likely to proceed to completion.

Efficacy of ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block compared to wound infiltration for postoperative analgesia following laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background: Postoperative pain remains a significant problem in patients undergoing donor nephrectomy despite reduced tissue trauma following laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LLDN). Inadequately treated pain leads to physiological and psychological consequences, including chronic neuropathic pain.

Materials And Methods: This randomized controlled double-blinded trial was conducted in sixty-nine (n = 69) participants who underwent LLDN under general anesthesia.

Short-Term Effectiveness and Tolerability of Vigabatrin Therapy in Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome.

The study evaluated the short-term effectiveness and tolerability of vigabatrin therapy in children with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS). Children with IESS were enrolled within two weeks of initiation of vigabatrin and prospectively followed up to 12 wk for complete cessation of epileptic spasms (ES) and occurrence of adverse events. Of 107 children studied, there was a preponderance of structural etiology (82.

Performance of LDBio Aspergillus ICT IgM/IgG Lateral Flow Assay in Diagnosing Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Community Versus Hospital Setting.

Background: LDBio immunochromatographic lateral flow assay, a point-of care test, detects IgM/IgG antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus (LDBio-ALFA). LDBio-ALFA has been evaluated for diagnosing chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) in hospital patients, though its efficacy in field settings remains unexamined.

Objective: Our primary objective was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of LDBio-ALFA in diagnosing CPA in a field and a hospital cohort.

Precision and Sensitivity: A Surrogate for Quality of Literature Search in Systematic Reviews.

The adequacy of the literature search is one of the critical domains that affect the quality of the systematic review. The aim of a literature search in the systematic review should be to obtain thorough, comprehensive, transparent, and reproducible results. Precision (also called "positive predictive value") and sensitivity (also called "recall") have been postulated as 2 markers for rating the quality of literature search in systematic reviews.