An interpretive phenomenological analysis of hope in cancer patients: A qualitative study

Background: In positive psychology, increased recognition of the phenomenon of hope among people suffering from cancer, along with alleviating their negative mental states like anxiety, depression, and fear of death is evident and promising. The aim of the study was to explore the lived experience of hope in cancer patients. Materials: Qualitative phenomenological research approach was used. A semi-structured in-depth interview with open-ended questions was administered to explore the patient抯 hope related experiences during the journey of cancer. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a total of 10 participants for the study. The size of the sample was decided on the basis of literature for the interpretive phenomenological study. Results: Results revealed five major common themes related to hope during illness: (1) survival expectation; (2) will to live; (3) prognostic clarification; (4) positivity of health providers; and (5) recovery of other patients: A source of hopefulness. Conclusion: The lived experiences of cancer patients shows that hope is the positive expectation of survival, which is a source of motivation during their journey of illness. It also denotes goal setting behaviour. Thus, hope is the 搘ill to live� which is related to social support, positive communication with healthcare providers, and recovery of fellow patients.

Applicability of respiratory severity score and modified TAL criteria in pediatric age group for grading and management of acute respiratory illness

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) are the leading cause of death in children in the world (11.9 million per year) with the greatest number of deaths occurring in developing countries like India. We compared respiratory severity scoring system RSS (Respiratory Severity Score) with Modified TAL, so that we can find out which of the above scores are better and whether they can be implemented to assess pediatric ARI patients.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in Pediatrics wards, Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College, Yavatmal, Maharashtra and data were collected from 290 children below 12 years of age by purposive sampling. All the children presenting with respiratory symptoms were subjected to these scoring system (RSS AND MODIFIED TAL) at the time of admission and were classified based on the scores obtained in respective scoring system. Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages and contingency tables and comparison was made between the above scoring systems to find which one is better applicable in pediatric ARI patient.Results: Incidence of pediatric patients presenting with only respiratory tract infections who are admitted in ward was 25.15 %, with more incidence being reported in children below 12 months (49.31%), males more affected. For both the ARI scoring systems (RSS and MOD TAL) as the severity increased so is the number of patients requiring oxygen and duration of hospitalization increased significantly (p<0.05), with RSS having stronger association.Conclusions: Both the scoring systems predicted that on admission if the score is more than chances of requirement of oxygen is more and also duration of hospitalization is more, with RSS being better predictor.

Evaluation of Value of Computed Tomography Attenuation (Hounsfield Unit Value) Measured along the Dural Venous Sinuses on Non-contrast Computed Tomography Scan in Diagnosing Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

context: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) previously believed to be an uncommon cerebrovascular event, accounting for0.5–1% of cases of stroke, affecting 1.32/100,000 person/year. CVST is a disease of young adults (<50 years old) predominantlyand is diagnosed based on clinical suspicion with confirmatory neuroimaging.Aims: This study aims to prospectively evaluate the Hounsfield unit (H.U) value of cerebral venous sinus on non-contrastcomputerized tomography (NCCT) scan and to assess its predictive value in diagnosing cerebral venous thrombosis and toevaluate whether standardizing venous sinus H.U value measurements to those of the corresponding internal cerebral arterywould improve diagnostic accuracy.Materials and Methods: In our study, a total of 80 clinically suspected case of CVST were included and NCCT head scan was donethen confirmed by M.R. venography (gold standard). Of 80 cases, a total of 38 cases were diagnosed as CVST on M.R. venographywhich was considered as Group B and rest 42 cases were normal on M.R. venography which was considered as Group A.Statistical Analysis: Average HU and H:H ratio were compared using two-tailed t-test, and linear regression analysis wasused to assess correlation between hematocrit (HCT) and HU.Results: Linear regression analysis showed positive correlation between HCT with computed tomography attenuation (HU)among both the groups (P < 0.005). H:H ratio (HU/HCT) for cutoff point of 1.645 had sensitivity of 71.1%, 97.6% specificity,and 96.4% PPV. A cutoff value of 1.335 for standardized measurement with internal carotid arteries (ICA) had 71.1% sensitivity,81% specificity, and 77.1% PPV.Conclusion: We conclude that average HU, H:H ratio, and standardized with ICA were the best predictor for sinus thrombosis.

Management of pulmonary tuberculosis in private health sector: is it according to revised national tuberculosis control programme guidelines?

Background: As private sector is dominant tuberculosis (TB) care provider in India, to realize the vision of TB free India, it is crucial that public and private sector follow uniform standard of TB care. This can be achieved when private health sector adopts TB management methodology of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) of India. The present study was conducted to estimate whether or not TB management practices of allopathic private practitioners (PPs) conform to RNTCP guidelines by assessment of their knowledge and practice about new pulmonary TB (PTB).Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire among PPs practicing in urban areas of five of the six districts of Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand State of India between October 2013 to November 2014.Results: Of 71 PPs included in the study, almost 66% did not suspect pulmonary TB unless cough was associated with other symptoms. For diagnosis and follow up, sputum AFB microscopy alone was used by only 10% and 8.4% PPs respectively. Of the 71 PPs, 67 PPs who prescribed treatment for new PTB, used 20 diverse anti-TB regimens, and 10.5% of them included levofloxacin in the regimen.Conclusions: Majority PPs didn’t follow the RNTCP’s TB management guidelines for new PTB.

Advanced Forms of Sulphur Formulations for Improving Use Efficiency in Crop Species

Widespread incidences of sulphur (S) deficiency in agricultural crops and soils have been reported globally. To meet this gap, various new forms of S fertilizers are available in the market, and they are in the process of testing for their validations in varied type of crop species and soils. A current global trend of using these advanced S formulations for plant production has emerged to overcome the challenges of S nutrition in crops. This paper highlights the potential benefits of improved S fertilizers in agriculture as compared to conventional S fertilizers. However, there is also a need for increasing awareness among the growers to recognize the importance of S (fourth primary plant nutrient) and simultaneously exploring the options for elevating the efficiency of S.