Meta-analysis of the robustness of COVID-19 diagnostic kit performance during the early pandemic.

Background: Accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 is necessary to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the test reagents and assay platforms are varied and may not be sufficiently robust to diagnose COVID-19.

Methods: We reviewed 85 studies (21 530 patients), published from five regions of the world, to highlight issues involved in the diagnosis of COVID-19 in the early phase of the pandemic.

Impact of Hyoid Position, Mandible Body Length and Anthropometric Measurements on Sleep Indices in Patients with Snoring in North Indian Population.

Introduction: In Indian population, the estimated prevalence of OSA is 7.5% to 13.5%.

Duration of postoperative analgesia with Nalbuphine vs Butorphanol as an adjunct to spinal anesthesia for lower limb orthopedic surgeries: A randomized double-blind active control trial.

Background And Aims: Nalbuphine as well as butorphanol as adjuvant to intrathecal bupivacaine have been studied in comparison to bupivacaine alone. Both are kappa receptor agonist and have never been compared for its efficacy in terms of postoperative analgesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate duration of postoperative analgesia as well as intraoperative block characteristics using intrathecal nalbuphine hydrochloride (800 μg) or butorphanol (25 μg) as adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine (12.

Sociodemographic Attributes and Prevalence of Arrest With Possession of Substances in Incarcerated Population in the United States.

Background and objectives In recent years, there has been an increase in the US imprisonment rate. A substantial percentage of those incarcerations are for drug-related offenses. The authors investigated the relationship between the pattern of substance use and drug-related offenses across a broad spectrum of various sociodemographic attributes of the incarcerated population in the United States.

Comparing Duration of Analgesia after Intrathecal Administration of Opioids in Primary Paturients for Lower Segment Cesarean Section.

Background: A pain free post operative period is a boon to mother for caring the neonate. We compared injection butorphanol and fentanyl as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in primary parturients for LSCS (Lower Segment Caesarean Section) with respect to duration of analgesia.

Aims And Objectives: To study the effect of butorphanol vs fentanyl on duration of analgesia when added to bupivacaine for LSCS amongst primi parturients and to observe the block characteristics as secondary outcome.

Utility of sonographic transcerebellar diameter in the assessment of gestational age in normal and intrauterine growth-retarded fetuses.

Background: The fetal cerebellum has been shown to be least affected by external pressures and molding during pregnancy and therefore might provide more accurate estimation of GA.

Aims: To study the utility of transcerebellar diameter (TCD) measured by ultrasound for the detection of GA in normal and intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) fetuses.

Subjects And Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 500 antenatal patients with a GA between 14 and 39 weeks and who were certain of their last menstrual periods.

Changing Assessment Scenarios: Lessons for Changing Practice.

Assessment is a process that includes ascertainment of improvement in the performance of students over time, motivation of students to study, evaluation of teaching methods, and ranking of student capabilities. It is an important component of the educational process influencing student learning. Although we have embarked on a new curricular model, assessment has remained largely ignored despite being the hallmark of competency-based education.

Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis: Role of C-Reactive Protein, Micro-ESR, and Gastric Aspirate for Polymorphs as Screening Markers.

Introduction: Early-onset neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidness and death in newborn children. Its timely diagnosis is usually a challenge in developing countries like India.

Aim: To study the efficacy of C-reactive protein (CRP), micro-ESR, and gastric aspirate for polymorphs in the diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis.

Dermatoscopy of Nail Lichen Planus: A Boon for Early Diagnosis.

Background: Lichen planus is an immune-mediated disorder affecting the skin, mucous membranes, scalp, and nails.

Objective: We sought to evaluate dermatoscopic nail patterns in patients with lichen planus.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study performed in the outpatient dermatology department of a tertiary care hospital.

New-Onset Catatonia and Delirium in a COVID-Positive Patient.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a strain of coronavirus family, which was initially found in China in late 2019 and subsequently spread to rest of the world. COVID-19 has led to physical and mental health complications since its onset. In addition to the pandemic-associated social stresses, biological complications include direct viral encephalitis, autoimmune-mediated responses, medication side effects, hypoxic brain injury, and delirium, which can collectively cause varied presentations of neuropsychiatric symptoms.

In-Hospital Mortality Risk Factor Analysis in Multivessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Inpatient Recipients in the United States.

Objectives The primary goal of our study is to evaluate the mortality rate in inpatient recipients of multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (MVPCI) and to evaluate the demographic risk factors and medical complications that increase the risk of in-hospital mortality. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS, 2016) and included 127,145 inpatients who received MVPCI as a primary procedure in United States' hospitals. We used a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for demographic confounders to measure the odds ratio (OR) of association of medical complications and in-hospital mortality risk in MVPCI recipients.

The need for craniofacial trauma and oncologic reconstruction in global surgery.

The global burden of surgical disease is concentrated in low- and middle-income countries and primarily consists of injuries and malignancies. While global reconstructive surgery has a long and well-established history, efforts thus far have been focused on addressing congenital anomalies. Craniofacial trauma and oncologic reconstruction are comparatively neglected despite their higher prevalence.

Association of VEGF haplotypes with breast cancer risk in North-West Indians.

Background: Angiogenesis is a complex and coordinated process regulated by different growth factors and is one of the hallmark features of cancer. VEGF is one of the most important endothelial cell mitogen and has a critical role in normal physiological and tumor angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential association of haplotypes of six VEGF polymorphisms with breast cancer risk in North-West Indians.

Depression Impairs Level of Functioning in Chronic Kidney Disease Inpatients: A Case-Control Study.

Objectives To evaluate the difference in demographics and clinical correlates during hospitalization for chronic kidney disease (CKD) between patients with depression and those without depression, and its impact on the severity of illness and in-hospital mortality. Methods We conducted a case-control study and included 2,296 adult inpatients (age ≥18 years) with a primary discharge diagnosis of CKD using the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS). We used propensity score matching to extract the cases i.

Persistent Cannabis Abuse and Risk for Hospitalization for Acute Pancreatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study in United States Hospitals.

Objectives To explore the independent association between cannabis abuse and subsequent hospitalizations for acute pancreatitis (AP) and delineate the demographic differences among AP in patients with and without persistent cannabis abuse. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using the nationwide inpatient sample and included 50,444,133 patients (age 18-50 years) with a primary discharge diagnosis for medical illnesses and further grouped by presence of AP (N = 666,248). We used the logistic regression model to measure the odds ratio (OR) of the association between cannabis abuse and hospitalization for AP and adjusted it for demographic confounders and comorbid risk factors.

A Spectrum of Pulmonary Complications Occurring in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Objective To investigate the trends of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and find the correlation with effects on the pulmonary system in such patients. Methodology A multicentric prospective study was conducted in the city of Solapur, India. Data were collected from 250 patients through interpersonal interrogation using a questionnaire to capture basic demographic details, the history of ESRD, and relevant respiratory symptoms like breathlessness, cough, fever, etc.

Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser versus Combined Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser with Platelet-rich Plasma in the Treatment of Atrophic Post-acne Scars: A Split-face Comparative Study.

Context: Though many treatment options are available for treating post-acne scars, optimized treatment still does not exist. Till date, comparative split-face studies, analyzing the efficacy of combined treatment modalities for acne scars with adequate sample size and with statistically significant results, are still lacking.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the combined use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and fractional ablative CO laser (FACL) versus FACL in the management of acne scars and to study the safety of autologous PRP and FACL in the treatment of post-acne scars.

Comparative study of hemodynamic effects of intrathecal bupivacaine with butorphanol in cardiac and non-cardiac patients.

Background And Aims: The synergism between intrathecal opioids and low dose local anesthetics makes it possible to achieve reliable spinal anesthesia (SA) with minimal hypotension. The study objective was to compare the hemodynamic effects of reduced dose of 0.5% intrathecal bupivacaine (2mL) with 25 μg butorphanol in cardiac vs non-cardiac patients.

Discharge readiness after minor gynaecological surgeries comparing dexmedetomidine and ketamine premedication in bispectral index (BIS) guided propofol-based anaesthesia.

Background And Aims: Dexmedetomidine and ketamine are commonly used pre-medicants to propofol. Previous literature shows a delay in recovery with their use without any clarity on discharge. This study was planned to find out whether adding these premedicants to Bispectral index (BIS) guided propofol anaesthesia led to delayed discharge in minor gynaecological surgeries.

Association of AdipoQ gene variation (rs1501299) and oxidative stress with cardiovascular disease in North West Indian population of Punjabi women.

Background: Till to date whether adiponectin AdipoQ gene variation (rs 1501299) is associated with cardiovascular disease, still remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to relate the SNP (rs1501299) of adiponectin gene and oxidative stress in context to CVD in Punjabi women of North West India.

Methods: In the present case-control study menopausal women with CVD as cases (n=265) and menopausal women without CVD as controls (n=258) were recruited.

A Case Report of Nonketotic Hyperglycemic Seizures: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Nonketotic hyperglycemia (NKH) is a rare but serious complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus that occurs acutely with a mortality rate of more than 50%. This condition presents with a clinical syndrome consisting of profound hyperglycemia, hyperosmolality, and dehydration. Infrequently, the patients also present with seizure activity.

The AGE-RAGE Axis and RAGE Genetics in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous group of lung diseases limiting the airflow due to narrowing of airways, chronic bronchitis and emphysema that leads to difficulties in breathing. Chronic inflammation is another important characteristic of COPD which leads to immune cell infiltration and helps in the alveolar destruction. Pathology of COPD is driven by various environmental and genetic factors.

In silico pathway analysis based on chromosomal instability in breast cancer patients.

Background: Complex genomic changes that arise in tumors are a consequence of chromosomal instability. In tumor cells genomic aberrations disrupt core signaling pathways involving various genes, thus delineating of signaling pathways can help understand the pathogenesis of cancer. The bioinformatics tools can further help in identifying networks of interactions between the genes to get a greater biological context of all genes affected by chromosomal instability.