Peer-to-Peer Medical Student Teaching in Radiology.

Medical students are often regarded purely as learners, but many can also perform well as educators. When more senior students are on service with underclassmen, especially when attendings and residents are busy, they can play an important role in helping to advance a radiology department's teaching mission.

Low-dose atropine 0.01% for the treatment of childhood myopia: a pan-India multicentric retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of low-dose atropine 0.01% in controlling myopia progression among Indian children over a 2-year period. METHODS: This retrospective study, conducted across 20 centres in India, monitored the progression of myopia over 2 years after initiating treatment with 0.01% atropine eye drops. This included children between 6 and 14 years with baseline myopia ranging from -0.5 D to -6 D, astigmatism≤-1.5 D, anisometropia ≤ -1 D and documented myopia progression of ≥0.5 D in the year prior to starting atropine. Subjects with any other ocular pathologies were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 732 children were included in the data analysis. The mean age of the subjects was 9.3±2.7 years. The mean myopia progression at baseline (1 year before starting atropine) was -0.75±0.31 D. The rate of myopia progression was higher in younger subjects and those with higher baseline myopic error. After initiating atropine, myopia progression significantly decreased to -0.27±0.14 D at the end of the first year and -0.24±0.15 D at the end of the second year (p<0.001). Younger children (p<0.001) and higher baseline myopia (p<0.001) was associated with greater myopia progression and poor treatment response (p<0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: Low-dose atropine (0.01%) effectively reduces myopia progression over 2 years in Indian children.

Impact of induced mutation-derived genetic variability, genotype and varieties for quantitative and qualitative traits in Mentha species.

PURPOSE: The genus Mentha spp. is an aromatic herb from the family 'Lamiaceae'. It is extensively predominant in temperate and sub-temperate regions of the world. The essential oil of this species is enriched with broad aroma constituents extensively utilized in food, beverages, flavor, cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceutical enterprises. With the global menthol market size estimated to be worth USD 765 million in 2022, India (accompanied by China and Brazil) is the world's primary manufacturer, consumer, and exporter of Mentha oil. Despite prominent global demand, the crucial bottleneck in mint cultivation is the need for more superior commercial cultivars. Predominant vegetative propagation mode with difficulties in manual emasculation, differential blooming times, sterile/sub-sterile hybrids, and low seed viability are the primary containment in creating genetic variability by classical breeding approaches. Therefore, genetic complications encountered in conventional breeding have led the breeders to apply mutation breeding as an alternative crop improvement approach in Mentha spp. These attempts at mutation breeding have produced some distinctive mutants as genetic pools for plant breeding programs, and some novel mutant mint cultivars have been made available for commercial cultivation. CONCLUSIONS: The prime strategy in mutation-based breeding has proven an adept means of encouraging the expression of recessive genes and producing new genetic variations. The present review comprises a significant contribution of mutation breeding approaches in the development of mutant mint species and its effects on physiological variation, photosynthetic pigment, essential oil content and composition, phytochemical-mediated defense response, pathogen resistivity, and differential expression of genes related to terpenoid biogenesis. Development and diversification have led to the release of varieties, namely Todd's Mitcham, Murray Mitcham, Pranjal, Tushar, and Kukrail in M. piperita L., Mukta, and Pratik in M. cardiaca Baker, Neera in M. spicata L., Kiran in M. citrata Ehrh., and Rose mint in M. arvensis L. that have revolutionized and uplifted mint cultivation leading to economic gain by the farmers and entrepreneurs.

Monitoring and Root Cause Analysis of Clinical Biochemistry Turnaround Time at a Tertiary Care Institute.

INTRODUCTION: Most laboratories around the world have focused on improving the analytical quality of laboratory tests. Laboratory turnaround time (TAT) is often left unnoticed and under-recognised in the healthcare setting. Both patients and clinicians are more interested in receiving rapid, reliable, and accurate results. This can be achieved by improving the TAT through the identification of the causes that lead to delayed TAT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study aims to identify the cause of delayed TATs within the outpatient department and implement corrective strategies to overcome them. A total of 214 samples were received. The study was conducted for a period of two years; of all the samples received, 154 were from the outpatient department, and 78 samples exceeded the expected TAT. The samples were analysed in the clinical biochemistry department of the hospital. The time spent at each station was determined using an internal computer system, which was also used to identify the samples that exceeded TATs. The primary outcome of the study was to identify the number of samples exceeding TAT and the causes of it. RESULTS: Upon implementation of corrective measures and root cause analysis, the TATs were reduced from 80-88% to 11-33%. After analysing the duration of time for the samples that exceeded TAT, 45.1% and 37.5% exceeded 30 minutes in Year 1 and Year 2, respectively. Only 3.2% and 6.2% exceeded five hours in Year 1 and Year 2, respectively. Furthermore, using root cause analysis, it was found that 12% of the delay was due to increased waiting time or sample collection, 14% included other causes such as outsourcing of samples, and 18% of the delay was due to pre-analytic processing time. CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that TAT is an important quality assessment tool within the laboratory setting, and with proper identification of causes, it can be improved. Although monitoring TAT is a tedious process that mandates tremendous efforts, with the presence of real-time monitoring, improving TAT is an achievable goal. This, in turn, can improve patient treatment outcomes and clinician satisfaction.

Challenges in the Implementation of the NeoOBS Study, a Global Pragmatic Observational Cohort Study, to Investigate the Aetiology and Management of Neonatal Sepsis in the Hospital Setting.

Neonatal sepsis is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries. To deliver high-quality data studies and inform future trials, it is crucial to understand the challenges encountered when managing global multi-centre research studies and to identify solutions that can feasibly be implemented in these settings. This paper provides an overview of the complexities faced by diverse research teams in different countries and regions, together with actions implemented to achieve pragmatic study management of a large multi-centre observational study of neonatal sepsis. We discuss specific considerations for enrolling sites with different approval processes and varied research experience, structures, and training. Implementing a flexible recruitment strategy and providing ongoing training were necessary to overcome these challenges. We emphasize the attention that must be given to designing the database and monitoring plans. Extensive data collection tools, complex databases, tight timelines, and stringent monitoring arrangements can be problematic and might put the study at risk. Finally, we discuss the complexities added when collecting and shipping isolates and the importance of having a robust central management team and interdisciplinary collaborators able to adapt easily and make swift decisions to deliver the study on time and to target. With pragmatic approaches, appropriate training, and good communication, these challenges can be overcome to deliver high-quality data from a complex study in challenging settings through a collaborative research network.

Influence of differential arsenic exposure on cellular redox homeostasis of exposed rural women of West Bengal.

The metalloid arsenic (As) induces oxidative stress is a well-known fact. However, the extent of variation of oxidative stress according to different exposure levels of As in groundwater and the mechanism responsible for As mediated oxidative stress is yet to be elucidated in a human population of West Bengal. In the present study, we have investigated the impact of low level (> 10 ≤ 50 µg/L) and high-level groundwater As (> 50 µg/L) on cellular redox status, DNA damage, and repair mechanisms in chronically exposed rural women of West Bengal. Prediction models of ordinary least square regression of nail As, forced vital capacity (FVC) %, and that of forced expiratory volume during the first one second (FEV1) % deciphered that accumulation of As in nails may predict hemoglobin deficiency. Moreover, consumption of As-laced water tends to decrease FEV1% and FVC%. A strong positive correlation was observed between water and nail As level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. ROS, perturbed nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/ Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) redox regulation, compromised antioxidant defense machinery-superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione transferase (GST), induced DNA damage, and suppressed DNA repair proteins-poly ADP ribose polymerase1(PARP1)/ X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1(XRCC1)/ 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) in a dose-dependent manner. All the low and high As areas had very high cancer risk values for the exposed population. It has been predicted that if the As level in the drinking water of a 40-year adult increases by 2 ug/L, the likelihood of the cancer risk will increase by 10%, keeping the body weight and amount of water intake constant. Thus, long-term exposure to either low or high As is seriously affecting the lives of asymptomatic women who are vulnerable to developing carcinogenic changes after a period of latency.

Duane syndrome: An overview on the current management.

Duane syndrome is one of the most common restrictive congenital strabismus characterized by variable horizontal duction deficits with globe retraction and shoots on attempted adduction and narrowing of the palpebral aperture. It is now listed as a congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder. The disease is usually unilateral with female preponderance. Basic etiopathogenesis involves dysinnervation of the lateral rectus (LR) due to aplastic/hypoplastic abducens nucleus with a secondary aberrant supply to the LR by the medial rectus (MR) subnucleus of the oculomotor nerve. Diagnosis of the disease is usually clinical. Due to the variable presentation of the disease, surgical management is a challenge and has to be individualized to achieve alignment in the primary gaze, reduction in globe retraction, upshoots and downshoots, and correction of any abnormal head posture. Differential recessions of the lateral and MR muscles are done to correct esotropia or exotropia in the primary gaze. For globe retraction and shoots, Y-split or periosteal fixation of the LR muscles is done depending on the severity.

Radio-frequency (RF) room temperature plasma treatment of sweet basil seeds (Ocimum basilicum L.) for germination potential enhancement by immaculation.

Ocimum basilicum L. is an antiviral and immunity boosting medicinal plant and culinary herb. Potential use of sweet basils in COVID 19 prevention and management is making its demand rise. This study is aimed at germination potential enhancement of sweet basil seeds. Reported study is evidenced with scientific data of radio-frequency cold plasma treatment using Ar + O2 feed gas. O. basilicum seeds, placed inside the rotating glass bottle, were directly exposed to RF (13.56 MHz) plasma produced in Ar + O2 feed gas. Seed treatment was done using RF source power (60 W, 150 W, 240 W), process pressure (0.2 mbar, 0.4 mbar, 0.6 mbar), and treatment time (5 min, 10 min, 15 min) at different combinations. Results show that, the most efficient treatment provide up to ∼89 % of the germination percentage which is an enhancement by 32.3 % from the control. SEM images revealed slight shrinkage in the seed size with eroded appearance over the seed. Enhancement of lipid peroxidation, show that oxidation of seed coat may propagate internally. Water imbibition analysis, of the treated seeds, was carried out for 2-12 hours. Further analysis of seed weight, on every one hour, after soaking shows enhanced water absorption capability except the treatment at 240 W, 0.6 mbar and 15 min. Plasma treatment enhanced carbohydrate content and protein content which is reported to be due to increased primary metabolism. Whereas, increased activity of secondary metabolism results in the enhancement of enzymatic (catalase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (proline). Vital growth parameters, such as SVI I and SVI II, got amplified by 37 % and 133 % respectively after treatment. Ameliorative effects of plasma treatment are found highly significant with a positive and significant correlation value (p < 0.01) between germination percentages, SVI I, SVI II, carbohydrate, protein and proline show their interrelationship. Ar + O2 plasma treatment is found to bring forth significant changes in the O. basilicum seeds which eventually enhanced the germination potential and it could be a very promising technology for the medicinal crop.

Diagnostic utility of CK19 and galectin-3 in differentiating papillary thyroid carcinoma from nonneoplastic lesions of thyroid.

Background: Thyroid neoplasm is one of the most common endocrine neoplasms. The diagnosis and the distinction between malignant and benign neoplasms can be difficult, but it has clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic significance. Hence, it is necessary to make precise diagnosis by using biomarkers. Materials and Methods: This is a laboratory observational study considering histologically diagnosed cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and nonneoplastic thyroid lesions. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was done on tissue sections of all cases for CK19 and galectin-3 using appropriate positive and negative controls. The expression of immunomarkers was evaluated by a semi-quantitative method as negative, weak positive, moderate positive, and strong positive. The data were entered in Microsoft Excel sheet and were analyzed using SPSS 22 version software. Results: A total of 52 cases were considered for the study, of which 26 cases each were PTC and nonneoplastic lesions of thyroid. Among the 26 PTC cases, 6 were classical variant of PTC (CVPTC) and 20 were follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC). Among 26 nonneoplastic cases, 13 each were nodular hyperplasia cases and lymphocytic thyroiditis. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.01) association of CK19 and galectin-3 expression between CVPTC and FVPTC. There was no statistically significant association (P = 0.271) of CK19 expression between PTC and nonneoplastic cases. There was a statistically significant association (P = 0.003) of galectin-3 expression between PTC and nonneoplastic cases. Conclusion: Galectin-3 expression can be used to differentiate PTC from nonneoplastic lesions of thyroid in ambiguous cases. Galectin-3 and CK19 expression can be used to classify PTC into CVPTC and FVPTC.

Quantification of genetic variability and stable genotype selection over the years in the germplasm of critically endangered Prishanparni (Uraria picta Desv.).

Prishanparni (Uraria picta Desv.), a critically endangered annual shrub belonging to the family 'Papillionaceae'. It is widely distributed throughout India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tropical Africa, Malay Islands, and the Philippines. The consistent performances of U. picta accessions based on ten economic traits studied were identified as P-12, P-16, P-21, P-22, P-31, P-47, and P-48. These accessions could be used for commercial cultivation in northern Indian plains. Among the total twenty-three studied accessions P-50, P-21, P-48, and P-47 were found superior for rhoifolin content in their aerial as well as root part, which may have various therapeutic potentials used in traditional and modern systems of medicines. These accessions can be exploited for commercial cultivation or in a hybridization program for further crop improvement. Wide range cultivation of the selected accessions in the Indo-Gangetic plains will fit in the existing cropping systems of this region, resulting in comparatively better supplementation of herb to the pharmaceutical and herbal drug industries and reducing the pressure on the wild populations.