Assessment of services provided by urban ASHAs to mothers of urban slums in Lucknow district - A cross-sectional study.

Context: Maternal and child health is an important public health issue which indicates the level of socioeconomic development in any country. Urban accredited social health activist (U-ASHA) workers in India are the main front-line urban health workers in primary health care delivery for slum and urban poor.

Aims: To assess the services provided by U-ASHA workers to mothers of urban slums for antenatal and postnatal care.

Real-time optical detection of mercury contamination in drinking water using an amphiphilic recognition probe at liquid crystal/aqueous interfaces.

Mercury contamination is a global environmental issue due to its toxicity and persistence in ecosystems. It poses a particular risk in aquatic systems, where it bioaccumulates and biomagnifies, leading to serious health impacts on humans. Therefore, effective detection technologies for mercuric ions in natural water resources are highly desirable.

Pleural effusion guidelines from ICS and NCCP Section 1: Basic principles, laboratory tests and pleural procedures.

Pleural effusion is a common problem in our country, and most of these patients need invasive tests as they can't be evaluated by blood tests alone. The simplest of them is diagnostic pleural aspiration, and diagnostic techniques such as medical thoracoscopy are being performed more frequently than ever before. However, most physicians in India treat pleural effusion empirically, leading to delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis and complications from wrong treatments.

NCCP-ICS joint consensus-based clinical practice guidelines on medical thoracoscopy.

Medical Thoracoscopy (MT) is commonly performed by respiratory physicians for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. The aim of the study was to provide evidence-based information regarding all aspects of MT, both as a diagnostic tool and therapeutic aid for pulmonologists across India. The consensus-based guidelines were formulated based on a multistep process using a set of 31 questions.

Correlation of ABO Blood Group Susceptibility to Disease Severity of SARS-COV-2: An Original Research.

Unlabelled: COVID-19, the Ecumenical Pandemic that hit Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in 2019 has instigated an emergency situation all over the globe. Current scientific corroborations highlighted the role of zoonotic cross-over species transmission for the spread of the deadly virus SARSCoV2. The proposition of ABO blood grouping to susceptibility for various infectious diseases has been documented in the past since blood group antigens constitute polymorphic traits that are inherited among humans, therefore are frequent targets in epidemiological studies.

Olfactory Sensitivity in Covid 19 Infection Recovered Subjects.

Sense of smell is a vital perception in mammals. Temporary loss of smell is the main neurological symptom and one of the earliest and most commonly reported indicators of COVID-19. A observational hospital based analytical study carried out at a tertiary care centre for a period of 22 months from January 2021 to October 2022.

Cervical pre-cancer classification using entropic features and CNN: In vivo validation with a handheld fluorescence probe.

Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, with a lengthy latent period and a gradual onset phase. Conventional techniques are found to be severely lacking in real time detection of disease progression which can greatly enhance the cure rate. Due to their high sensitivity and specificity, optical techniques are emerging as reliable tools, particularly in case of cancer.

Assessment of Nasal Obstruction in Patients Undergoing Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

Aim & objectives-To assess and compare the nasal obstruction in patients before and after undergoing FESS using Visual analogue scale, Rhinomanometry and Diagnostic nasal endoscopy. Introduction- Chronic Rhinosinusitis with, or without nasal polyps can lead to nasal obstruction. Patients refractory to medical treatment undergo Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).

Management of Postoperative Discitis with Debridement and Novel Technique of Local Antibiotic Instillation: Functional Outcomes from a Resource-Limited Setting.

Background: Patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have substantial treatment abandonment and non-adherence with outpatient oral medications. This work sought to investigate outcomes of postoperative discitis treated with debridement and a novel technique focused on reducing outpatient antibiotic requirement in an LMIC setting.

Methods: This study, conducted and reported following STROBE guidelines, reviewed outcomes of all patients with postoperative discitis who had been debrided by 1 neurosurgeon in a resource-limited setting during 2008-2020.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection-associated takotsubo syndrome: A systematic review of case reports.

Background: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is underdiagnosed and requires comprehensive angiographic findings. Few SCAD occurrences have a comparable clinical appearance as takotsubo syndrome (TTS) or exist simultaneously, making it challenging for clinicians to treat and manage. Case reports lack consolidated data.

Accura balloon dilatation catheter for percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty among adult patients-its protean use.

Background: Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) is the treatment of choice for hemodynamically significant pulmonary stenosis (PS). Currently, the Tyshak balloon is preferred but requires multiple dilatations because of its instability across the valve leading to a watermelon seeding effect. Accura balloon (Vascular Concept, UK) offers an advantage in its self-positioning configuration, variable diameter, and rapid inflation-deflation sequence which shortens the procedural time and valve injury.

Fixed-Dose Combination of Dapagliflozin + Sitagliptin + Metformin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Poorly Controlled with Metformin: Phase 3, Randomized Comparison with Dual Combinations.

Introduction: This study compared efficacy and safety of triple drug fixed-dose combination (FDC) of dapagliflozin (DAPA) + sitagliptin (SITA) + metformin (MET) extended release (ER) with SITA + MET sustained release (SR) and DAPA + MET ER in patients with type 2 diabetes poorly controlled with metformin.

Methods: This phase 3, randomized, open-label, active-controlled study included adult patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 8% (64 mmol/mol) and ≤ 11% (97 mmol/mol), randomized in 1:1:1 ratio to receive either FDC of DAPA + SITA + MET ER (10 mg + 100 mg + 1000 mg) tablets once daily (n = 137) or co-administration of SITA + MET SR (100 mg + 1000 mg) tablets once daily (n = 139) or FDC of DAPA + MET ER (10 mg + 1000 mg) tablets once daily (n = 139). Primary endpoint was mean change in HbA1c from baseline to week 16.

Unusual trifurcation of left main coronary artery in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: Issues in management strategy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and anomalous coronary artery arising from the opposite sinus are independently associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Their coexistence in a single patient further complicates the issue by affecting management strategy and increasing the risk of sudden death.

Case Report: A 21-year-old woman with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) having strong family history of SCD presented with exertional fatigue and palpitation.

Irreversible Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Post Covid-19 Patients-An Institutional Prospective Study.

SARS-CoV-2 virus could damage the hearing by several mechanisms, it could damage the auditory centre in the temporal lobe and direct peripheral injury to the sensory cells of the cochlear due to neurotropism of the virus. A Prospective hospital-based observational study was carried out at a tertiary care centre for a period of 22 months from January 2021 to October 2022. A total of 100 patients were selected according to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria.

A massive malignant pleural effusion due to lung adenocarcinoma in an adult male: a case report.

A significant right-sided pleural effusion was seen on chest radiography in a 53-year-old adult male who complained of bilateral chest pain, shortness of breath, and other additional symptoms. The bloody pleural effusion was removed with a chest tube, and cytopathology analysis showed moderate cellularity. After performing a high-resolution computed tomography, it was discovered that the affected lung had a significant pleural effusion on the right side as well as collapsed and consolidated lung parenchyma.

Indian Guidelines on Nebulization Therapy.

Inhalational therapy, today, happens to be the mainstay of treatment in obstructive airway diseases (OADs), such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and is also in the present, used in a variety of other pulmonary and even non-pulmonary disorders. Hand-held inhalation devices may often be difficult to use, particularly for children, elderly, debilitated or distressed patients. Nebulization therapy emerges as a good option in these cases besides being useful in the home care, emergency room and critical care settings.

Removal of an atypical ovarian dermoid cyst: a case report.

Ovarian dermoid cysts, also known as mature teratomas, are benign embryonal tumors with a slow growth rate. They are the consequence of ectodermal components becoming trapped along with their closure sites and account for the most common germinative ovarian tumor in reproductive-aged women. These patients may have a reduced risk of morbidity if they receive an accurate diagnosis and extensive follow-up care.

Telecardiology and its outcome among patients with implantable cardiac devices during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, social isolation and lockdown measures were implemented to prevent spread of virus which created enormous challenges to patient healthcare. In order to overcome these challenges, teleconsultation (telecardiology) was initiated. Objective of this study was to assess outcome of telecardiology using audio/visual/audio-visual consultation among patients with implantable cardiac devices.

RAPD as a clinical alert for early evidence of dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

Dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) is a serious manifestation of thyroid eye disease (TED) resulting in permanent visual loss. There is controversy regarding the diagnostic features of DON. Relative afferent pupil defect (RAPD) in TED is highly specific for DON.

Twelve-month clinical outcomes of "nano-crush technique" for the treatment of bifurcation lesions using ultra-thin (60 µm) sirolimus-eluting coronary stents.

Background: Provisional stenting is preferred for bifurcation lesion; however, certain anatomical substrate does require two stents as a part of dedicated stent technique. Here, the present study evaluated outcomes of ultra-thin (60 µm) Supra family sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) (Sahajanand Medical Technologies Limited, Surat, India) for dedicated bifurcation lesions using nano-crush technique at 12 months angiographic follow-up.

Methods: This was prospective, single-center observational study which enrolled patients with de novo bifurcation lesion and underwent angioplasty with Supra family SES using nano-crush technique at a tertiary care center in India, between March-2017 and February-2019.

Perforated balloon technique mediated intracoronary delivery of nicorandil to treat coronary no-reflow phenomenon: a novel pharmacological solution to precarious situation.

Background: Coronary no-reflow (NRF) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is infrequent but one of the most dreaded complication which results from impaired flow of microvascular bed. It is associated with adverse outcome if flow is not restored. Objective of this study was to find safety, effectiveness and outcome of intracoronary nikorandil (IC) administered using perforated balloon technique (PBT) to reverse NRF.

Rapid diagnostic methods for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) detection: an evidence-based report.

Since December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been a global health concern. The transmission method is human-to-human. Since this second wave of SARS-CoV-2 is more aggressive than the first wave, rapid testing is warranted to use practical diagnostics to break the transfer chain.

Balloon Deflection Technique to Facilitate Stent Delivery in Impassable Situations During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Long and multiple lesions especially in the background of tortuous coronary artery often require multiple stents. The entry and passage of another stent through an already deployed stent becomes challenging because of poorly expanded stent struts, calcified tissue, underlying tortuosity, highly angulated takeoff of the vessel, and lack of coaxiality. It can be facilitated by balloon deflection technique (BDT) where balloon at proximal edge of main vessel stent over a buddy wire helps to deflect second stent either distally or into side branch by blocking potential dead.