Novel Variants of IGF2 Gene Are Linked With Neural Tube Defects-An In Silico to Clinical Approach in West Bengal, India.

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are defined as an incomplete closure of the neural tube (NT), with a prevalence of 1.2 per 1000 live births around the world. Methylation of the maternally imprinted gene Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is one of the epigenetic mechanisms that contribute significantly to the development of NTDs.

Fear of progression, coping strategies, and associated factors among a sample of Malaysian women with breast cancer.

Fear of progression (FoP) is a stressful psychosocial condition that affects health and quality of life. Breast cancer is recognized as the most prevalent cancer among women globally. This study aims to determine the prevalence of FoP, coping strategies, and associated factors among Malaysian female breast cancer survivors.

In vitro efficacy of levonadifloxacin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) including hVISA isolates collected across India.

Background: Vancomycin has been the preferred treatment for MRSA infections. However, newer drugs are necessary due to the increasing prevalence of MRSA isolates that are less susceptible to vancomycin. Levonadifloxacin and its prodrug alalevonadifloxacin, novel quinolones with broad spectrum anti-MRSA activity.

Robotic esophagectomy with function-preserving radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer.

Radical lymphadenectomy is the critical component of surgery for esophageal cancer. However, lymphadenectomy significantly contributes to postoperative morbidity, particularly in terms of pulmonary complications following esophagectomy. Function-preserving mediastinal lymphadenectomy seeks to balance the procedure's necessary radicality and optimal functional outcomes.

Microbiological Concordance of Subglottic Secretion and Tracheal Aspirate Cultures of Critically Ill Patients with Invasive Airway Devices: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is attributed to the microaspiration of pooled secretions around the cuff of airway devices. Despite the emphasis on the use of endotracheal tubes (ET) with subglottic secretion (SS) drainage ports to prevent VAP, the quality of the evidence for this recommendation remains moderate. This prospective observational study analyzed microbiological concordance between SS and endotracheal aspirate (ETA) cultures to generate further evidence in this regard.

Designing, Implementing and Optimising a Capacity‑Building Model for Infectious Disease Modelling in India.

Mathematical models are not integrated into the policy‑making process in low‑ and middle‑income countries, including India, primarily due to limited capacity in building mathematical models, lack of trust in the model findings and the reluctance of policy‑makers to apply the model findings to formulate policies. There is a perceived need to create a critical mass of trained infectious disease experts and modelers within the public health and clinical domain. Thus, with the support of the Department of Health Research (DHR), we developed a 3‑month post‑graduate (PG) certificate course on infectious disease modelling, the first of such a course in India.

Transforming neonatal nursing in India: challenges, opportunities, and the way forward.

Neonatal care is essential for the well-being of newborns, particularly premature or critically ill patients. Despite advancements in medical technology and evidence-based practice, India faces significant challenges in neonatal nursing, including resource limitations, inconsistent training, and inadequate policy support. This paper examines the current state of neonatal nursing in India, highlighting disparities between urban and rural areas, and comparing them to global practices.

Protective effects of BCG vaccination against multibacillary disease, reactions, and disabilities in childhood leprosy: Insights from a retrospective observational study from a tertiary care center in India.

Background And Methods: While leprosy primarily affects adults, childhood leprosy poses unique challenges because of its potential to cause lifelong disabilities and stigma. This is a retrospective record review of all patients aged 15 or below, diagnosed with leprosy, who were registered at the leprosy clinic of our tertiary care center from June 2014 to December 2023.

Results: As per hospital records, 1083 leprosy cases were registered at our center during the study period.

Otolaryngology Resident Education: Beyond Procedural Case Logs-A 10-Year Single Institutional Review.

Objective: To quantify the otolaryngologic diagnoses encountered in outpatient clinics by otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) residents during their 5 years of postgraduate training.

Methods: This is a retrospective review at a single institution following 5 consecutive graduating resident cohorts throughout their training. The electronic health record was queried for OHNS clinic encounters from 2013 through 2022 during which the resident physicians were included as the visit provider or assistant to an attending physician.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) in Acute Viral Myocarditis in Children: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Context: Acute myocarditis is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition in infants and children. While immunosuppressive agents have shown limited effectiveness, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) holds promise as a treatment option.

Objective: To study the efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in treating acute viral myocarditis in children.

Association of Specific Dietary Fatty Acids with Asthma in Urban School Children and Adolescents: Inferences from a Cross-Sectional Multicentric Study From India.

Objective: To assess the association of dietary fatty acids with asthma in Indian school children.

Methods: Children aged 6-16 years were enrolled from randomly selected urban schools in 10 cities. The International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase III Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of asthma.

Professional judgement: a social practice perspective on a multiple mini-interview for specialty training selection.

Background: Interviewers' judgements play a critical role in competency-based assessments for selection such as the multiple-mini-interview (MMI). Much of the published research focuses on the psychometrics of selection and the impact of rater subjectivity. Within the context of selecting for entry into specialty postgraduate training, we used an interpretivist and socio-constructivist approach to explore how and why interviewers make judgments in high stakes selection settings whilst taking part in an MMI.

Non-coding RNAs secreted by renal cancer include piR_004153 that promotes migration of mesenchymal stromal cells.

Background: Renal cell cancer (RCC) is the most common and highly malignant subtype of kidney cancer. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are components of tumor microenvironment (TME) that influence RCC progression. The impact of RCC-secreted small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) on TME is largely underexplored.

Differential Expression of GABA Receptor-Related Genes in Alzheimer's Disease and the Positive Regulatory Role of Aerobic Exercise-From Genetic Screening to D-gal-induced AD-like Pathology Model.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. The neuropathology of AD appears in the hippocampus. The purpose of this work was to reveal key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hippocampus of AD patients and healthy individuals.

Effectiveness of Inhalational Tranexamic Acid in Patients with Nonmassive Hemoptysis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Hemoptysis, the expectoration of blood from the lower respiratory tract, varies in severity and necessitates effective management to mitigate morbidity. Traditional treatments include bronchial artery embolization and pharmacological approaches. Tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic agent known for its efficacy in reducing bleeding during surgery and trauma, is being explored for its efficacy in treating Hemoptysis via both intravenous and inhalational routes.

Prevalence and predictors of suboptimal peak inspiratory flow rates in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the role of peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) in the management of inhalation therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at a tertiary care institute from July 2021 to January 2022, this study included a total of 351 patients who were clinically diagnosed with stable COPD and currently receiving inhaler therapy. Participants underwent comprehensive assessments that included demographic data collection, the use of the ABCD assessment tool to evaluate disease severity, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) for quality of life measurement, and assessments for adherence to inhaler therapy and inhaler technique proficiency.

Local swelling in snakebite envenomation: Are we missing something for want of a name?

Envenomations caused by viperid and some elapid snakebites are typically accompanied by local swelling and signs of inflammation that appear within a few hours of bite and spread centripetally for a few days. Often these changes are mistaken for signs of infection and are misdiagnosed as 'cellulitis'. This potentially results in unwarranted use of antibiotics.

Snakebite envenomation-associated acute kidney injury: a South-Asian perspective.

Snakebite is a neglected public health problem in tropical countries. Snakebite envenomation-associated acute kidney injury (SBE-AKI) is a major complication accounting for significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of SBE-AKI may be multifactorial, including prerenal AKI secondary to hemodynamic alterations, intrinsic renal injury, immune-related mechanisms, venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy and capillary leak syndrome.

Serial evaluation of local changes in snakebite envenomation using infrared thermal imaging.

Background: There is a lack of objective tools to assess the local changes following snakebite envenomation. We aimed to describe the progression of local changes in envenomed patients using serial infrared thermal imaging.

Methods: In a prospective sample of patients with snakebite envenomation, clinical assessment and infrared imaging of local changes were done at enrolment and 6 h and 24 h later, followed by once daily until hospital discharge or day 7, whichever was earlier.

Experiential Learning of Active Learning Strategies in Mentor Learner Web-based Discussions: A Perceptions Study.

Background: Active learning strategies (ALSs) in medical education are valued for their effectiveness but face adoption challenges among educators, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of their implementation and impact.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the perceptions of medical educators regarding the effectiveness and challenges of ALS through mentor-learner (ML) web-based discussions.

Settings And Design: The retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from 32 medical educators enrolled in the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education Research course at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana.

The Empathy Quandary in Postgraduate Medical Training.

Background: Empathy stands as a cornerstone of humanistic qualities and is essential in healthcare for understanding and alleviating emotional suffering. Despite its necessity, formal empathy training remains elusive in postgraduate medical education across the globe, contributing to decline of humanistic practice among trainees. This study aims to assess and establish the need for empathy training by evaluating the perspectives of postgraduate trainees and faculty.

Real-World Evidence on the Effectiveness of Pembrolizumab in Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic/Unresectable Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of the review was to systematically review real-world data on the effectiveness and safety of pembrolizumab in recurrent/metastatic/unresectable head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) patients. Two independent reviewers retrieved the studies separately and simultaneously. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central were searched for prospective and retrospective studies on recurrent/metastatic/unresectable HNSCC patients treated with either pembrolizumab monotherapy or pembrolizumab combination therapy published till November 2024.