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ABSTRACT Background: Newborn infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit require arterial cannulation for hemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling. Arterial access is achieved through catheterization of umbilical or peripheral arteries. Peripheral artery cannulation is performed in critically ill newborns, but artery localization and cannulation is often challenging and unsuccessful. Therefore, increasing the internal diameter and preventing vasospasm are important for successful peripheral artery cannulation in neonates. Topical glyceryl trinitrate has the potential to increase cannulation success by relaxing arterial smooth muscles and thus increasing the internal diameter. We aim to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topycal glyceryl trinitrate in increasing the diameter of the radial artery in neonates. Methods/Design: This study will be a single-center, observer-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of Perth Children's Hospital, Western Australia. A total of 60 infants born at >34 weeks of gestation who are admitted for elective surgery or medical reasons and for whom a peripheral arterial line is needed for sampling or blood pressure monitoring will be recruited after informed parental consent is obtained. The primary outcome will be the change in radial arterial diameter from baseline to postintervention. Secondary outcomes will be the absolute and percentage change from baseline in the radial arterial diameter in both limbs and safety (hypotension and methemoglobinemia). Discussion: This will be the first randomized controlled trial evaluating the use of topical glyceryl trinitrate to facilitate peripheral artery cannulation in neonates. If our pilot randomized controlled trial confirms the benefits of glyceryl trinitrate patches, it will pave the way for large multicenter randomized controlled trials in this field.
RESUMO Histórico: Os recém-nascidos internados na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal necessitam de canulação arterial para monitoramento hemodinâmico e coleta de sangue. O acesso arterial é obtido por meio de cateterização das artérias umbilicais ou periféricas. A canulação da artéria periférica é realizada em recém-nascidos em estado grave, mas a localização e a canulação da artéria são, muitas vezes, desafiadoras e sem sucesso. Assim, o aumento do diâmetro interno e a prevenção do vasoespasmo são importantes para o sucesso da canulação da artéria periférica em recém-nascidos. O trinitrato de glicerilo tópico tem o potencial de aumentar o sucesso da canulação ao relaxar a musculatura lisa arterial e, dessa forma, aumentar o diâmetro interno. Nosso objetivo é realizar um ensaio piloto controlado e randomizado para avaliar a eficácia e segurança do trinitrato de glicerilo tópico no aumento do diâmetro da artéria radial em recém-nascidos. Métodos/Desenho: Este estudo será um estudo de centro único, cego para o observador, randomizado, controlado por placebo, conduzido na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal do Perth Children's Hospital, Austrália Ocidental. Serão recrutados 60 bebês nascidos com mais de 34 semanas de gestação, internados para cirurgia eletiva ou por razões médicas e para os quais é necessária a colocação de um acesso arterial periférico para coleta de amostras ou monitoramento da pressão arterial, após a obtenção do consentimento informado dos pais. O desfecho primário será a mudança no diâmetro arterial radial basal e pós-intervenção. Os desfechos secundários serão a alteração absoluta e percentual basal no diâmetro arterial radial em ambos os membros e a segurança (hipotensão e metemoglobinemia). Discussão: Este será o primeiro estudo controlado e randomizado a avaliar o uso de trinitrato de glicerilo tópico para facilitar a canulação da artéria periférica em recém-nascidos. Se nosso estudo-piloto randomizado e controlado confirmar os benefícios dos adesivos de trinitrato de glicerilo, ele abrirá caminho para grandes estudos multicêntricos randomizados e controlados nesse campo.
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Abstract Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has cast a gloom spell on healthcare worldwide, infecting millions of people. Objective The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence and review the contributing comorbidities and the precipitating factors leading to the emergence of the fungal infections in COVID-19-affected patients. To assess the utility of different laboratory techniques for confirmation of fungal infections. To assess the strengths and limitations of the diagnostic methods. Methods We have studied 252 clinical samples obtained from 121 COVID-positive patients. Results Among the 121 patients clinically diagnosed with fungal infections, 88 had diabetes and were given steroids for treatment (p-value = 0.001). Ninety-five patients (78.5%) had a positive laboratory diagnosis (either culture positive, potassium hydroxide [KOH]-positive or positive histopathology report). Fungal culture was positive in 75 (61.9%) patients and histopathology report was positive in 62 (51.2%). Histopathology was positive in 7 (5.8%) patients in whom culture and KOH were negative. Conclusion Aggressive treatment methods, administration of immune suppressants, and antibiotics, with an intention to salvage, have made patients susceptible to the benign fungus, causing it to evade the host immunity, thus leading to invasive infections. Applying different laboratory modalities would not only aid in providing fast and valuable information but also help in understanding the pathology which would assist the clinician in selecting the correct treatment for the patient.
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ABSTRACT Introduction: Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) surveys prove beneficial to the transfusion services by providing an insight into the donors and, thus, aiding in mobilizing and retaining voluntary blood donors. We aim to study the knowledge, attitude and practices of donors towards blood donation in a pandemic setting. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of blood donors was conducted between June to and October 2020. Non-parametric tests (Mann - Whitney U and Kruskal - Wallis) were performed to evaluate the relation of knowledge, attitude and practices overall scores with age group, gender and history of blood donations (first us. repeat). The Chi-Square test/Fisher's Exact test was used to evaluate the differences in the distribution of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices items within the groups. Results: A total of 403 of 2,748 individuals who came for whole blood donation participated in the study. The mean age of the study population was 31.1years (SD ± 8.4 range: 18 - 58), with 75% of the donors donating for the first time. The fear of acquiring COVID-19 infection was perceived as a major reason for the eligible population not to donate. The overall knowledge, attitude and practice score among the donors was satisfactory, being 76.14%, with a significant association with age. The overall positive attitude and practices scores of blood donors were 85.48% and 78.04%, respectively. Conclusion: The KAP scores were satisfactory among the donors. Timely communication of the precautionary measures at blood centers to contain the spread of the COVID-19 infection and effective counseling would help in motivating and retaining blood donors.
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Background: Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is a noninvasive imaging modality that enables in?vivo visualization of the structures of the anterior segment of the eye. Unlike routine ophthalmic diagnostic ultrasound which uses frequencies of 5–10 MHz, UBM utilizes ultrasound frequencies in the range of 50–100 MHz. The high?frequency probes in UBM allows for higher resolution and better visualization of subsurface ocular structures, even in the presence of anatomic or pathological obscuration. UBM has qualitative as well as quantitative applications in various disorders affecting the anterior segment of the eye. Despite its huge importance, many clinicians lack in knowledge about the technique and its clinical usefulness. The current educational video aims to address this gap in knowledge by highlighting the technique and various clinical indications of UBM. Purpose: The purpose of this video is to demonstrate the technique of UBM and showcase its quantitative and qualitative implications and importance through various clinical cases. Synopsis: UBM is an imaging technique that assesses the depth of tissue structures by measuring the time delay of the returning ultrasound signal. This modality is capable of measuring the size of various structures within the eye, such as the cornea, iris, ciliary body, sclera, and the depth of the anterior and posterior chamber. To perform a UBM, a transducer is inserted into a specially designed eye cup filled with distilled water, creating a water bath environment. Axial and longitudinal scans can be performed in a similar fashion as in routine diagnostic B?scan ultrasound. Quantitative indications for UBM depicted in this video include measurements of corneal thickness, depth of the anterior chamber, and the width of the angle. The video also showcases how UBM can aid in the diagnosis and management of various anterior segment disorders like angle?closure glaucoma, plateau iris configuration, secondary glaucoma, and anterior uveitis with complicated cataract. Qualitative indications for UBM highlighted in this video include its role in intermediate uveitis, ocular hypotony, ocular surface tumors, cystic lesions of iris, and identifying the location and type of intraocular foreign bodies in the anterior segment based on the type of artifact seen. Additionally, the video shows the applications of UBM in scleral and episcleral pathologies. Highlights: This video will educate clinicians about the technique of UBM and showcase a bouquet of UBM findings in various case scenarios, helping one to better understand the potential of this modality in clinical practice.
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Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is the most commonly noted form of mucormycosis, which is the most common secondary fungal infection following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Osteomyelitis is one of the rare sequelae of ROCM, frontal osteomyelitis being the rarest. We present four patients of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis, who presented with frontal bone osteomyelitis after being treated for ROCM surgically and medically. This is the first case series highlighting this complication in post–COVID-19 mucormycosis patients and needs utmost attention as it can be life-threatening and can cause extreme facial disfiguration. All four patients are alive with salvage of the affected globe and vision being preserved in one patient. If identified early, disfiguration of face and intracranial extension can be avoided.
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Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of lensectomy with a glued intraocular lens (IOL) in spherophakic eyes with secondary glaucoma and assess factors associated with failure. Methods: We prospectively evaluated outcomes of lensectomy with glued IOL in 19 eyes with spherophakia and secondary glaucoma (intraocular pressure (IOP) ?22 mm Hg and/or glaucomatous optic disc damage) between 2016 and 2018. The vision, refractive error, IOP, antiglaucoma medications (AGMs), optic disc changes, need for glaucoma surgery, and complications were assessed. Success was defined as complete when IOP was ?5 and ?21 mmHg without AGMs; qualified success as similar IOP with up to 3 AGM; the need for >3AGM/additional surgery for IOP control was considered a failure. Results: Preoperatively, the median (interquartile range: IQR) age was 18 (13.5–30) years. IOP was 16 (14–22.5) mmHg on a median of 3 (2,3) AGMs. Median postoperative follow up was 27.7 months (11.9, 39.7). Postsurgery, most patients achieved emmetropia, with significantly decreased refractive error from a median spherical equivalent of ?12.5D to + 0.5D, P < 0.0002. The complete success probability was 47% (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 29–76%) at 3 months and was 21% (8 ? 50%) at 1 year and 3 years. The qualified success probability was 93% (82–100%) at 1 year, which reduced to 79% (60–100%) in 3 years. None of the eyes had any retinal complications. The higher number of preoperative AGM was found to be a significant risk factor (p < 0.02) for the failure of complete success. Conclusion: One?third of the eyes had IOP control without the need for AGM postlensectomy with glued IOL. Surgery resulted in significant improvement in visual acuity. The higher number of preoperative AGM was associated with poor glaucoma control after glued IOL surgery
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Background & objectives: Vaccination and natural infection can both augment the immune responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but how omicron infection has affected the vaccine-induced and hybrid immunity is not well studied in Indian population. The present study was aimed to assess the durability and change in responses of humoral immunity with age, prior natural infection, vaccine type and duration with a minimum gap of six months post-two doses with either ChAdOx1 nCov-19 or BBV152 prior- and post-emergence of the omicron variant. Methods: A total of 1300 participants were included in this observational study between November 2021 and May 2022. Participants had completed at least six months after vaccination (2 doses) with either ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or an inactivated whole virus vaccine BBV152. They were grouped according to their age (? or ?60 yr) and prior exposure of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Five hundred and sixteen of these participants were followed up after emergence of the Omicron variant. The main outcome was durability and augmentation of the humoral immune response as determined by anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, anti-nucleocapsid antibodies and anti-omicron RBD antibodies. Live virus neutralization assay was conducted for neutralizing antibodies against four variants – ancestral, delta and omicron and omicron sublineage BA.5. Results: Before the omicron surge, serum anti-RBD IgG antibodies were detected in 87 per cent participants after a median gap of eight months from the second vaccine dose, with a median titre of 114 [interquartile range (IQR) 32, 302] BAU/ml. The levels increased to 594 (252, 1230) BAU/ml post- omicron surge (P<0.001) with 97 per cent participants having detectable antibodies, although only 40 had symptomatic infection during the omicron surge irrespective of vaccine type and previous history of infection. Those with prior natural infection and vaccination had higher anti-RBD IgG titre at baseline, which increased further [352 (IQR 131, 869) to 816 (IQR 383, 2001) BAU/ml] (P<0.001). The antibody levels remained elevated after a mean time gap of 10 months, although there was a decline of 41 per cent. The geometric mean titre was 452.54, 172.80, 83.1 and 76.99 against the ancestral, delta, omicron and omicron BA.5 variants in the live virus neutralization assay. Interpretation & conclusions: Anti-RBD IgG antibodies were detected in 85 per cent of participants after a median gap of eight months following the second vaccine dose. Omicron infection probably resulted in a substantial proportion of asymptomatic infection in the first four months in our study population and boosted the vaccine-induced humoral immune response, which declined but still remained durable over 10 months
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Background: Cervical discharge as part of cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease is a cause of significant morbidity in sexually active women worldwide. Non-gonococcal and non- chlamydial bacterial pathogens are becoming more prevalent. Aims: This study aims to determine bacterial pathogens causing cervical discharge using culture and/or polymerase chain reaction and assess the clinical and laboratory response to the conventional syndromic kit regimen established by the World Health Organisation. Methods: A retrospective review of records of women with cervical discharge over one year period. Culture and/or polymerase chain reaction results of endocervical swabs of various bacterial pathogens at baseline and after four weeks of treatment with syndromic kit regimen were recorded. Results: A total of 70 case records were reviewed for clinical details, out of which results of bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction were available for 67 cases. Infectious aetiology was found in 30 (44.7%) patients with Ureaplasma species being the most common organism isolated on culture (18, 26.8%) and polymerase chain reaction (25, 37.3%), respectively. Polymerase chain reaction for Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma hominis was positive in ten (14.9%) and four (6%) cases, respectively. None of the patients showed positive culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Coinfection was seen in eight (11.9%) patients with the majority showing Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma spp. coinfection (five patients). Forty one cases (58.5%) received tab. cefixime 400 mg and tab. azithromycin one gram stat (kit 1), while 29 cases (43.3%) received tab. cefixime 400 mg stat, tab. metronidazole 400 mg and cap. doxycycline 100 mg, both twice daily for 14 days (kit 6). Minimal to no clinical improvement with treatment was seen in 14 out of 32 cases (44%) at the end of four weeks with the conventional kit regimen. Post-treatment culture and/or polymerase chain reaction were positive in nine out of 28 cases (32.1%) with Ureaplasma spp. being the most common. Limitations: Retrospective study design, small sample size and fewer cases with follow-up data were the main limitations. Conclusion: Ureaplasma spp. was the most common infectious cause of cervical discharge in our patients. Treatment given as part of syndromic management led to a clinical and microbiological response in around half and two-third cases, respectively.
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Aim And Background-A foreign body in nose presents with unilateral purulent nasal discharge, nasal obstruction and nasal bleed.We present a case in which a button battery remained uncomplicated in the nasal cavity for a year. However, if it is found, it should be removed as early as possible. A 6-year-old female child presented with aCase Description – one-year history of foul-smelling, left-sided nasal discharge. During anterior rhinoscopy, a black, rigid mass was observed. A circular foreign object was found in the floor of the left nasal cavity during a CT (computed tomography) scan of the Nose and PNS (paranasal sinuses). General anesthesia was used during the diagnostic nasal endoscopy on the child. A foreign body was visualized and removed using a curved curette. The nasal mucosa was normal on follow-up, and there was no septal perforation. A detailed history, assessment and radiological examination plays aConclusion- key role in management of foreign bodies.We report that a button battery was left in the nose for a long time without causing any problems. There were no complications from an unnoticed button battery in theClinical Significance: nose for a year. However, if it is found, it should be removed.
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Purpose: To assess the incidence, visual impairment, and blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in a rural southern Indian cohort. Methods: This is a population?based longitudinal cohort study of participants with RP from the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS) cohorts I and III, respectively. The study included participants with RP of APEDS I who were followed until APEDS III. Their demographic data along with ocular features, fundus photographs, and visual fields (Humphrey) were collected. Descriptive statistics using mean ± standard deviation with interquartile range (IQR) were calculated. The main outcome measures were RP incidence, visual impairment, and blindness as per the World Health Organization (WHO) definitions. Results: At baseline (APEDS I), 7771 participants residing in three rural areas were examined. There were nine participants with RP with a mean age at baseline of 47.33 ± 10.89 years (IQR: 39–55). There was a male preponderance (6:3), and the mean best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 18 eyes from nine participants with RP was 1.2 ± 0.72 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; IQR: 0.7–1.6). Over a mean follow?up duration of 15 years, 5395/7771 (69.4%) were re?examined, which included seven RP participants from APEDS 1. Additionally, two new participants with RP were identified; so, the overall incidence was 370/ million in 15 years (24.7/million per year). The mean BCVA of 14 eyes of seven participants with RP who were re?examined in APEDS III was 2.17 ± 0.56 logMAR (IQR: 1.8–2.6), and five of these seven participants with RP developed incident blindness during the follow?up period. Conclusion: RP is a prevalent disease in southern India that warrants appropriate strategies to prevent this condition.
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The concept of air pollution is not new, it has been in prevalence since time immemorial. The problem of air pollution precedes the history of mankind. It existed even before the birth of mankind but in a negligible form. After the birth of mankind, environmental pollution started increasing. In the process of growth of the human race from a simple-minded fruit and root gatherer, the hunter and the grower of food who worshipped nature in turn to a self-centered destroyer of nature and finally to the twenty-first-century human being which has in a sense becomes synonymous with deforestation, desertification and progress with pollution. In the present paper, the author has tried to cover the major incidents of air pollution across the world. The laws enforced from time to time to tackle this problem in various countries like the United States of America, European countries and India are also covered in the present paper.
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Purpose: To describe the demographics, clinical profile, and outcomes of ocular siderosis in patients presenting to a multi?tier ophthalmology hospital network in India. Methods: This cross?sectional and hospital?based study included 3,082,727 new patients who presented between August 2010 and December 2021. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of ocular siderosis in at least one eye were included. Results: Overall, 58 eyes of 57 patients (0.002%) were diagnosed with ocular siderosis. The majority were men (96.49%) and had unilateral (98.25%) affliction. The most common age group at presentation was during the third decade of life with 24 patients (42.11%). A clear history of ocular trauma was documented in 47 patients (81.03%). Major clinical signs included corneal pigment deposition in nearly half of the eyes (27/58 eyes, 46.55%), corneal scar (20/58 eyes, 34.48%), cataract (22/58 eyes, 37.93%) and retinal detachment (11/58 eyes, 18.96%). The intraocular foreign body (IOFB) was anatomically localized in a majority of the eyes (i.e., 45/58 eyes, 77.59%). The most common location of the IOFB was in the posterior segment (22/58 eyes, 37.93%). The eyes that underwent a vitreoretinal surgery with removal of IOFB had a slightly better BCVA (1.0 ± 1.01) when compared to eyes with non?removal of IOFB (1.58 ± 1.00). Conclusion: Ocular siderosis is a rare sight?threatening entity, with half of the affected eyes exhibiting severe visual impairment. Majority of the eyes in ocular siderosis will have a detectable IOFB. Surgical removal of IOFB may lead to a better visual gain when compared to non?removal.
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Objectives@#Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated mucormycosis (CAM) has emerged as a formidable infection in patients with COVID-19. The aggressive management ofCAM affects quality of life (QOL); thus, this study was designed to assess the QOL in patients with CAM at a tertiary healthcare institution. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study of 57 patients with CAM was conducted over 6 monthsusing a semi-structured standard questionnaire (the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire [WHO-BREF]) and a self-rated improvement (SRI) scale ranging from 0 to 9. Cut-off values of ≤52 and < 7 were considered to indicate poor QOL and poor improvement, respectively. The correlations of QOL and SRI scores were evaluated using Spearman rho values. @*Results@#In total, 27 patients (47.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 34.9%–60.1%) and 26 patients (45.6%; 95% CI, 33.4%–58.4%) had poor QOL and poor SRI scores, respectively. The overall median (interquartile range) QOL score was 52 (41–63). Headache (adjusted B, −12.3), localized facial puffiness (adjusted B , −16.4), facial discoloration (adjusted B, −23.4), loosening of teeth (adjusted B, −18.7), and facial palsy (adjusted B, −38.5) wer e significantly associated with the QOL score in patients with CAM. @*Conclusion@#Approximately 1 in 2 patients with CAM had poor QOL and poor improvement.Various CAM symptoms were associated with QOL in these patients. Early recognition is the key to optimal treatment, improved outcomes, and improved QOL in patients with CAM.
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Purpose: To describe the clinical features and treatment outcomes in spontaneous uveal effusion syndrome (UES). Methods: A 10?year retrospective chart review of UES patients from a tertiary eye center was carried out. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography, and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) scans were performed. UES was managed based on presenting best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA), symptoms, and fundus findings. Patients with secondary causes of uveal effusion were excluded. Results: Twenty?five eyes of 16 patients were included. Of the 16 patients, 14 (88%) were male and 9 (56%) had bilateral disease. Fifteen of 25 affected eyes had nanophthalmos (axial length (AL) <20.5 mm) and 6 had hyperopia with AL >20.5 mm. The presenting mean distance BCVA was 0.74 ± 0.64 logMAR (mean Snellen: 20/100). Eleven eyes had exudative retinal detachment, and 4 also had exudative choroidal detachment (CD). Choroidal thickness (CT) was increased in 11 eyes on B?scan ultrasonography, and the mean CT was 1.74 ± 0.38 mm. Sub?retinal fluid (SRF) and retinal folds were the most common OCT findings. UBM findings included shallow angles, peripheral CD, and supra?ciliary effusion. A combination of local and systemic corticosteroids was used to successfully treat 12 eyes, 6 needed surgery, and 7 were observed. Partial sclerectomy with anterior chamber maintainer?assisted SRF drainage was the favored surgery. The median period of follow?up was 6.5 months (0.1–76 months), and the mean distance BCVA at the last follow?up was 0.58 ± 0.42 logMAR (mean Snellen: 20/80). Conclusion: UES can be suitably managed both medically and surgically based on clinical presentation
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In traditional banking, the products and services handed by bank branches are not acceptable to meet the customer needs and solicitation. Customers are the king in any business. Every business should know the customer perception and satisfy their requirements. Customers are precipitously more demanding with precious services customized to their exact requirements, at least bring and instantly done. It is possible by the use of Information technology in banking sector. In Moment's script E-Banking service plays a vital part in attracting new customers and retaining old customers. Without e-banking service no banks can survive in this competitive banking business. E-Banking means the provision of information about a bank and its services through a home runner on the World Wide Web (WWW). E-Banking services give customer access to accounts, the capability to transfer their plutocrat between different accounts, and making payments or applying for loans through E- Channels. Electronic Banking is else called as Internet Banking or Virtual Banking or Online Banking or Web Banking. E – Banking is the medium and rearmost delivery channel to be offered by the retail banks. It handed number of benefits to customer in term of easy to use and at least cost of deals; it may be either through internet, telephone or other electronic delivery channels. Nationalization was a structural change in the performance of marketable banks which redounded in to the emergence of public sector banks. Privatization leads to the emergence of private sector banks and globalization which eased the entry of foreign banks in India. This super study helps to know the satisfaction position of customers towards e – banking services handed by Axis Bank in Ramanathapuram Town. Then E – Banking services includes ATM service, POS using benefit card and credit services, mobile banking and EFT etc.
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Multiple field visits were performed to investigate weed flora of wheat fields in Rohtak district of Haryana, conducted during 2018 which revealed infestation of 28 weed species comprising 15 families of grasses and broadleaf weeds. The weeds were identified with the help of available literature and through comparison with the already identified weed species. Poa annua, Polypogon monspeliensis and broadleaf weeds Chenopodium album, Rumex retroflex, Coronopus didymus were the pre-dominant weeds in moist region, whereas Cynodon dactylon, Fumaria parviflora, Chenopodium album, Polypogon monspeliensis in light soil with low salinity. There was a greater variety of weeds in Bohar and Kharawar villages and the least was found in village Sheria and Garnavati from vegetative to fully grown stage. Maximum number of species were of family Poaceae and Asteraceae. This study will be helpful as an additional tool in maintaining the floristic composition of District Rohtak as well as in controlling the weed problem
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Background: Telemedicine is being increasingly used to provide healthcare to patients, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims: The study aimed to study patient perception and satisfaction with a smartphone-based hybrid teledermatology service initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional telephonic survey including patients ?18 years of age who had received a teledermatology consultation. After noting the demographic, clinical and teleconsultation details, patients were administered the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire and an additional 6-item questionnaire. Patients were also asked to give qualitative feedback and suggestions for improvement using a semi-structured interview guide. Results: We interviewed 201 subjects. The most common diagnoses were pemphigus (27, 13.4%), superficial fungal infections (24, 11.8%), psoriasis (22, 10.9%) and dermatitis (21, 10.4%). The overall mean Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire score was 4.20± 0.71. One hundred seventy-one (85.1%) patients responded that they would use teledermatology services again, while 168 (83.6%) reported satisfaction with the quality of services. A majority of the patients were largely satisfied with the various components involved, though some concerns were raised about the care perceived as not at par with physical consultations, difficulty in procuring medicines, lack of confidence in photographic diagnoses and the lack of a personal touch. Patients with urticaria (P=0.020), those who were advised a change in treatment (P=0.029) and those with improvement in their skin disease (P=0.026) were more likely to be satisfied. Limitations: Our study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic when patient acceptability was likely to be higher. Only follow-up patients were included in the study. Conclusion: Patient satisfaction levels were generally high with teledermatology. Addressing lacunae that negatively impact patient perception and satisfaction will help in greater acceptance of teledermatology services.
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Introduction: In more than 100 endemic countries, there are 50 to 100 million new cases reported per year, according to the WHO. The dengue pandemic has caused significant death. There is usually only supportive care offered and no effective therapy. The purpose of the study was assess any effect on the level of serum ferritin in patients of dengue. Methodology: This was an observational, Prospective study conducted at Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research General Medicine department among dengue fever cases. Result: Serum ferritin level from on admission then on day 3 and then day 5 in non-severe and severe dengue cases showed p value <0.001 which was statically significant. Conclusion: The use of a serum ferritin level alone with a cut-off value of more than 900 ng/ml is indicated.
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Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and future implications of COVID?related risk stratification for managing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary eye care center from the beginning of the lockdown in India from 23 March 2020 till the end of the first phase of lockdown on 29 May 2020. We evaluated 200 prematurely born infants (< 34 weeks of gestational age) using the new safety guideline protocols for low?risk babies developed in conjunction with the Indian ROP Society for care during the COVID?19 pandemic. Low risk included babies born at more than 30 weeks of gestational age, post menstrual age 34 weeks or above at presentation, more than 1000 grams of birth weight, and stable systemically with good weight gain. Results: New guidelines were implemented in 106 (53%) infants who were low risk while 94 (47%) infants with high risk were followed up as per the old guidelines. Out of the 106 infants (212 eyes) managed by the new guidelines, good outcome (group 1) was seen in 102 (96.2%) infants. Twenty?seven of the 102 infants had some form of ROP and 5 of these infants needed treatment. None of the low?risk babies with no detachment at presentation managed by new guidelines required surgery later (group 2). Two (1.9%) infants came with retinal detachment at presentation and underwent successful surgery (group 3) and two infants (1.9%) were lost to follow up. Conclusion: New risk stratification during the COVID?19 pandemic was an efficient and safe strategy in managing low?risk ROP babies.