Role of the Backbenchers of the Renin-Angiotensin System ACE2 and AT2 Receptors in COVID-19: Lessons From SARS.

The novel coronaviruses causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been shown to utilize angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the receptor for entry into the host cells. The involvement of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the evolution and pathogenesis of lung diseases has been implicated in recent years. The two enzymes of RAS, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2, serve a contrasting function.

Impact factor: Mutation, manipulation, and distortion.

Currently, there is an increased dependency on the impact factor in scientific research publications. Sometimes the overzealousness in implementing the impact factor value to a publication is detrimental to the growth of the scientific authors, especially the junior lot, for no fault of theirs. The inept and myopic application of the impact factor defeats the purpose of making the value judgment and hence has been criticized by many learned authors.

Study of Association of C-Reactive Protein with Maternal Chorioamnionitis and Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Premature Rupture of Membranes Deliveries: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Introduction: Term prelabor rupture of membranes and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM), both pose significant risk to the mother and the fetus. Early identification of sepsis is essential as the mother has risk of chorioamnionitis and neonate is at the risk of early-onset sepsis.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic value of positive maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) in association with maternal clinical chorioamnionitis and early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) in PROM deliveries after 28 weeks of gestation.

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Immunotherapy for Recurrent Multiple Warts: An Open-Label Uncontrolled Study.

Background: Cutaneous warts present a therapeutic challenge because of recurrence and multiplicity and may become a frustrating condition for both patients and physicians. In the past few years, there has been an increase in intralesional immunotherapy for recurrent multiple warts not only because of its encouraging results in the treatment but also due to its ability to clear distant warts and preventing recurrence.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine immunotherapy in the treatment of recurrent multiple warts.

Candidal Prevalence in Diabetics and its Species Identification.

Context: species is a part of the normal mouth flora. Diabetes mellitus is a predisposing factor for the onset of oral candidiasis.

Aim: The objective of this study was to estimate salivary glucose in patient with diabetes and healthy individuals, to determine total candidal counts as well as different candidal species in the saliva of patients with diabetes and nondiabetics.

Hand Glove: A Tool Not Used to Its Potential.

A hand glove is not only used to maintain sterility of the procedure but also to protect the physician from communicable diseases. A glove can be used in a variety of procedures, which are commonly performed in clinics. These help the doctor by serving as a tool in procedures and in cutting the cost of these procedures.

A Pocket-Friendly and Sustainable Iontophoresis Apparatus for Palmoplantar Hyperhidrosis: Advancement over a Previously Described Homemade Design.

Introduction And Objectives: Tap water iontophoresis is a promising therapy for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. Non-affordability and nonavailability of the marketed device restrict its usage for many patients hailing from villages or small cities.

Materials And Methods: In an article named "A simple user-made iontophoresis device for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis" published previously in this journal, a simple inexpensive homemade device that runs on 12 V direct current battery was described.

Correlation of Susceptibility Based on MICs and Squalene Epoxidase Mutations with Clinical Response to Terbinafine in Patients with Tinea Corporis/Cruris.

Recalcitrant dermatophytoses are on the rise in India. High MICs of terbinafine (TRB) and squalene epoxidase () gene mutations conferring resistance in spp. have been recently documented.

Qualitative Assessment of Learning Strategies among Medical Students Using Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews.

Background: Globally, students with top academic performance and high intellectual capacity usually opt to study medicine. However, once students get enrolled, their academic performance varies widely. Such variations appear to be determined by various factors, one of them being types of learning strategies adopted by students.

Why the Jan Aushadhi Scheme Has Lost Its Steam in India?

The Jan Aushadhi Scheme (JAS) initiated by the Government of India is a powerful intervention against the unjustifiable pricing of medicines by private pharmaceutical industry, to make the generic medicines available at affordable prices. The marginalized populations of India are not able to afford many branded medicines; hence, there is an urgent need for making the cheaper generics available to Indians in the best interest of populations. It has been observed that lack of awareness in the public, distribution of free medicines by state governments, lack of support for JAS, poor supply chain, and doctors not prescribing generic medicines are the major constraints faced by the JAS leading to its poor success.

Anatomical study of petrous and cavernous parts of internal carotid artery.

The petrous and cavernous parts of internal carotid artery (ICA) are obscure and are not readily accessible to observation/imaging. These parts have broad biological and medical interest because of their peculiar shape. Given the their clinical importance and the scarce data available based mostly on imaging, the present study was aimed at studying these parts of ICA by dissection.

Efficacy of Atorvastatin in Prevention of Contrast-induced Nephropathy in High-risk Patients Undergoing Angiography: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin (ATN) 80 mg in the prevention of contrast medium- induced nephropathy (CIN) in high risk patients undergoing angiograph.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective, double-blind, two-arm, parallel group RCT. A total of 216 patients undergoing coronary angiography were screened, and 188 eligible patients were randomized to two treatment arms.

Use of SNAPPS Model for Pediatric Outpatient Education.

Objective: To assess and compare the educational effectiveness of SNAPPS model with traditional method in developing reasoning skills of Pediatric residents in Out-patient department.

Methods: 40 case presentations with 4 residents (20 each with traditional and SNAPPS methods) were audiotaped and compared with respect to making differentials, reasoning for analyzing differentials, raising uncertainties by probing preceptor, and selecting case-related issues for self study. Residents feedback was collected using a self-designed proforma.

Aripiprazole-induced priapism.

Priapism is a urologic emergency representing a true disorder of penile erection that persists beyond or is unrelated to sexual interest or stimulation. A variety of psychotropic drugs are known to produce priapism, albeit rarely, through their antagonistic action on alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. We report such a case of priapism induced by a single oral dose of 10 mg aripiprazole, a drug with the least affinity to adrenergic receptors among all atypical antipsychotics.

Admission to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Courses: Looking Beyond Single Entrance Examinations.

In India, a single national level entrance examination for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses has been introduced. This is largely an effort towards alleviating financial corruption in admission process, improving logistics and ease of examination for students, and resource-efficacy in conduct of examination. Unfortunately, the possible educational impact of such single high-stakes examination has not been overtly discussed.

Sleep restriction may lead to disruption in physiological attention and reaction time.

Sleepiness is the condition where for some reason fails to go into a sleep state and will have difficulty in remaining awake even while carrying out activities. Sleep restriction occurs when an individual fails to get enough sleep due to high work demands. The mechanism between sleep restriction and underlying brain physiology deficits is not well assumed.

Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis: A rare cytological diagnosis.

Calcinosis cutis is an uncommon condition characterized by the deposition of calcium salts in the subcutaneous tissues of the body. Calcifications can also occur in a variety of other clinical settings and can be subjected to fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Since cutaneous calcific deposits may clinically mimic a tumor, it is feasible to diagnose them by FNA cytology (FNAC).

Is size really a contraindication for laparoscopic resection of giant adrenal myelolipomas?

A 55-year-old non-diabetic, normotensive man presented with dull aching pain in the left upper abdomen of 2-year duration. He had no significant medical, surgical or family history. Relevant blood tests and chest skiagram were normal.

Histopathology findings in patients presenting with menorrhagia: A study of 100 hysterectomy specimen.

Background: Menorrhagia, by definition, is heavy cyclical blood loss in excess of 80 ml/month of menstrual period lasting longer than 7 days. There are many possible causes of heavy menstrual bleeding which include hormonal imbalance, fibroids, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, nonhormonal intrauterine device, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and rarely uterine, ovarian, or cervical cancer. Treatment depends on the causes of the menorrhagia.