搜索结果：The Nigerian postgraduate medical journal

The acetabulum is the structure that the head of femur articulates with to form the hip joint. Knowledge of its structure and dimensions is helpful in clinical and forensics settings. Data on its dimensions are sparse in Southwestern Nigeria. In hip joint arthroplasty, metal backed acetabular cup implant is inserted into this structure. The implants used are designed based on the anatomic findings of countries where these implants were made. The study aimed to provide data from Southwestern Nigeria and to correlate the distances between bony prominences in the hemipelvis that will be useful to implant manufacturers. This was a prospective, descriptive and observational study that involved the measurements of parts of the acetabulum and distances between some bony points of 78 cadaveric hemipelvic bones. Parameters documented included 'Vertical diameters' (VDs), 'Transverse diameters' (TDs), 'Total diameters' (VD + TD)/2, acetabular depth and morphology of the anterior acetabular ridge. The acetabular rim thickness was also estimated. The distance between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and pubic tubercle (PT) was measured and documented. Data obtained from the study were transferred into Microsoft Excel 2010 (by Microsoft Corporation, Redmond. Washington) and analysed with Stata 13 (StataCorp, Texas, USA). The mean VD, TD and total diameters measured were 57.6 mm, 56.2 mm and 56.9 mm and 51.0 mm, 49.5 mm and 50.3 mm for outer and inner diameters of the acetabulum, respectively. The mean acetabular rim thickness estimated was 3.3 mm for each acetabular rim along the vertical and transverse axes for both left and right sides. Mean acetabular depth was 27.2 mm. The curved pattern was the most common anterior acetabular ridge observed. There was no statistically significant relationship between the acetabular diameters and the distance between ASIS and PT. This study has contributed data that would be useful to orthopaedic surgeons, implant manufacturers and forensic pathologists. These data should be used when population specific acetabular cup implants are being considered. This study documented no significant statistical relationship between the acetabular diameter and the distances between any of the bony prominences around the hemipelvis. Therefore, no equation could be generated for pre-operative estimation of acetabular diameter. The use of plain radiograph remains the reliable method for pre-operative estimation of the acetabular diameter.

Medical residents have shown interest in artificial intelligence (AI) for their clinical and academic activities; however, research on the perception of speciality professors regarding AI is lacking. To estimate the proportion of medical professors who perceive it necessary to include AI in the curricula of their specialities, along with their self-efficacy, perceived benefits and identified barriers to AI tools. Cross-sectional study of 108 medical speciality professors in Monterrey, Mexico, in June 2024. We sent them a self-administered questionnaire that included questions about the professors' perceptions of the need to incorporate AI in the specialities' curricula, their self-efficacy, benefits, barriers to AI and other variables. We estimated relative frequencies, 95% confidence intervals (CI), measures of central tendency and dispersion. Self-efficacy, benefits and barriers scores were compared by interest variables using the Mann-Whitney or Student's t-tests. P < 0.05 was significant. Ninety-eight professors (90.7%, 95% CI: 85.3-96.2) considered it necessary to incorporate AI into their academic programmes. Self-efficacy scores were higher among those working in the private sector and those with a course, workshop or diploma in AI. In addition, those with a master's degree or a doctorate, who had completed a course, workshop or diploma, showed higher benefits scores. Nine out of ten professors of medical specialities believe it is necessary to include AI in their curricula, with a high perception of its self-efficacy and benefits. Academic authorities in medical specialisation should examine the growing integration of AI in modern educational environments.

Malnutrition is a major public health problem in India. Approximately 80% of the world's undernourished children are concentrated in 20 countries. In India, nearly 60 million children are underweight. Children with malnutrition contribute more to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions, and their outcomes may be affected by the degree of malnutrition. Malnutrition is also a risk factor for both, increase in length of stay in the PICU and higher Paediatric Respiratory Severity Score (PRESS) scores, thus increasing the need for respiratory support. To assess the impact of the nutritional status of children admitted with respiratory illnesses on the duration of stay at the PICU in a tertiary care hospital catering to suburban population. A prospective descriptive study carried out over a period of 6 months analysed 49 children admitted with respiratory illness to PICU in a tertiary care hospital. All Data collected was entered in Excel sheet. All data analyses were performed using IBM Corp. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows [computer software]. Version 21. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.; 2012. During the study period, a total of 134 children were admitted to the PICU. Among them, 49 children (36.5%) were admitted due to respiratory tract infections, forming our study group. Based on the IAP weight-for-age growth charts, it was found that 30 (61.2%) of these children exhibited some degree of malnutrition. In our study, 63.3% of the study population were infants. The male gender was predominant (59.2%) in the demographic pattern. The mean hospital stay for all patients was 8.3 days. Mean hospital stay in malnourished patients was 10.85 days, whereas in normally nourished children, it was 4.33 days. The average duration of PICU stay was 4.46 days overall. For malnourished patients, the average stay in PICU was 5.82 days, compared to 2.29 days for patients with normal weight. A significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) was found between malnutrition and prolonged PICU stay, hospital stay and severity of PRESS score. The grade of malnutrition was associated with greater severity of respiratory illness and a longer length of stay in PICU and Hospital. The assessment of grades of malnutrition at the time of admission can predict the impact on the length of stay in PICU and hospital.

Cosmetic product is widely used by teenage girls as part of their daily routine. However, certain ingredients in these products may cause adverse effects such as acne, dermatitis, allergic reactions and even long-term health risks. Awareness regarding these side effects remains limited among adolescents. To assess the efficacy of an instructional module in enhancing the knowledge of teenage girls about the side effects of cosmetic products and to identify the association between demographic variables and knowledge scores. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an instructional module on improving the knowledge of teenage girls regarding the side effects of cosmetic products. The demographic variable of the study participants was also analysed to determine their association with knowledge scores. The study included 100 teenage girls aged 12-19 from central rural India. The results of the study showed that 48% of the participants had poor knowledge before the intervention, and 52% had average knowledge regarding the side effects of cosmetic products. However, after the intervention, the knowledge scores significantly improved, with 60% of the participants having good knowledge and 30% having very good knowledge. The instruction module effectively enhances knowledge regarding cosmetic side effects among teenage girls. Educational intervention should be integrated into school health programs to promote safer cosmetic use and informed decision-making.

We conducted research showing that chronic disease management continued to challenge healthcare systems, payers, and patients. At the same time, digital therapeutics emerged as a promising and potentially transformative approach. They supported better management of long-term conditions, improved patient outcomes, and helped streamline healthcare delivery. We carried out a comprehensive literature search to identify both original reports and reviewed publications. The search covered multiple databases, including Google Scholar and PubMed, and we also gathered relevant information from credible online sources such as the World Health Organization and India's National Crime Records Bureau. Using these findings, the narrative explained how digital therapeutics reshaped chronic disease management by highlighting key benefits, the technologies that enabled these solutions, and the expected impacts on both clinical and economic outcomes. We also discussed the obstacles the sector encountered as it developed, and we considered the future prospects of digital therapeutics in chronic care. In conclusion, digital therapeutics offered personalised care, improved patient engagement and adherence, provided real-time monitoring and feedback, enhanced accessibility and convenience, and were cost-effective in managing chronic disease; however, challenges such as cybersecurity concerns, reliability of data, the digital divide, and a lack of extensive clinical validation needed to be addressed for widespread adoption. While the evidence to date suggested clear clinical and economic promise, realizing that promise required coordinated action stronger clinical trials to build robust evidence, clear regulatory pathways to ensure safety and efficacy, investment in secure interoperable infrastructure, and targeted efforts to close the digital divide so vulnerable populations were not left behind; policymakers, clinicians, payers, and technology developers had to collaborate to translate innovation into equitable, scalable care improvements.

The nursing process is an essential component of nursing practice and education, functioning as a systematic, evidence-based approach to patient care. the main objective is to identify and compare the specific barriers faced by faculty, nursing students and nursing managers in implementing the nursing process. This study employed a descriptive and cross-sectional design to investigate the perceived barriers to the implementation of the nursing process amongst nursing faculty members, undergraduate nursing students and nurses. The study was conducted across a range of governmental and educational institutions located in nine Iraqi provinces. A structured questionnaire was used as the primary data collection tool. It consisted of two parts: (1) demographic information and (2) 15 items assessing perceived barriers to implementing the nursing process using a five-point Likert scale. The data were analysed using the SPSS version 29. the results show that the overall effect level of barriers as perceived by different roles as follows, majority (70%) rated the barriers as having a moderate effect, about 27%-29% considered the effect high, while only a few saw it as low. This study concluded that reveal that the most significant obstacles to implementing the nursing process stem from institutional and administrative short comings, such as inadequate managerial support, lack of standardised documentation systems and unclear policies. Healthcare institutions should establish clear policies, provide adequate staffing and implement standardised tools to facilitate the use of the nursing process.

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, contributing significantly to global cancer-related morbidity and mortality. It is responsible for nearly 15% of all female cancer fatalities. It has a higher prevalence in developed nations. The present study aimed to assess the predictive utility of Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in carcinoma breast cases in correlation with oxidative stress, immuno-biomarkers and body mass index (BMI). Prospective interventional study. The Prospective Interventional Study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and the Histopathology and Radiology division of the Department of Pathology, JNMC, in collaboration with the Department of Surgery, JNMC and Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Wardha, for the duration of 3 years. Total 81 samples were recruited for the study. The patient's history was taken, and a proper medical examination was carried out. The SPSS program for Windows, version 26.0 (SPSS, Chicago, Illinois, USA), was employed to conduct the statistical analysis. Categorical variables were analysed using either the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while continuous variables were compared using the unpaired t -testing method. P &#x2264;0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant. A significant positive correlations between AIP and various parameters, including BMI ( r = 0.591, P < 0.001), superoxide dismutase ( r = 0.407, P < 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( r = 0.507, P < 0.001), Interleukin-10 (IL-10) ( r = 0.706, P < 0.001) and IL-18 ( r = 0.652, P < 0.001). Furthermore, a strong positive correlation with lipid profile was observed. AIP could serve as a useful surrogate marker to assess not only lipid imbalance but also broader systemic changes that accompany breast cancer.

Hypertension is a major non-communicable disease of public health concern. In Nigeria, the rate is between 28% and 42.2%. Hypertension or the prolonged use of some antihypertensive drugs has been associated with hearing loss in studies. There is a paucity of studies on this in our environment. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between hearing thresholds and hypertension. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional comparative study of hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients. Ethical approval for the study was obtained. Informed consent was obtained from the participants. A researcher-administered structured pro forma was utilised to obtain demographic and medical history data. Blood pressure measurement and pure-tone audiometry were performed on all the participants. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25. One hundred and twenty-eight participants each were recruited from the hypertensive and control groups for the study. The age range of the hypertension group was 27-60 years. The frequency of hearing loss amongst the hypertension and control groups was 47.7% and 15.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean pure-tone average for the hypertension group was 29.2 dB &#xb1; 18.5/28.3 dB &#xb1; 20.5 and 21.6 dB &#xb1; 8.7/20.6 dB &#xb1; 8 in the right and left ears of the hypertensive and control groups, respectively. The frequency of hearing loss in the controlled and uncontrolled hypertensive subjects was 44.7% and 52%, respectively (P = 0.424). Hearing loss frequency was 50% in hypertensive subjects on diuretic and/or beta-blockers and 46% in those on other antihypertensive drugs (P = 0.650). The frequency of hearing loss in the hypertension group was significantly higher than in the control group.

The knee joint plays a crucial role in various badminton-related functional movements for both stability and mobility. Specifically, an optimal flexion and valgus angle upon landing tasks ensures less injury risk. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the prevalence and biomechanical analysis of knee joint flexion and valgus angle among badminton athletes. Sixty players were included in this study. The study conducted a two-dimensional biomechanical analysis using the Kinovea software to measure the knee flexion and valgus angle while hop and step-down tests, respectively. The study found that for the 13-17 age group, the mean knee flexion angle is 109.8&#xb0; &#xb1; 8.0&#xb0; (right) and 112.9&#xb0; &#xb1; 8.7&#xb0; (left), whereas for the 18-25-year age group, it is 110.4&#xb0; &#xb1; 10.1&#xb0; (right) and 111.7&#xb0; &#xb1; 9.6&#xb0; (left). The knee valgus angle for 13-17 years is 11.0&#xb0; &#xb1; 5.5&#xb0; (right) and 11.1&#xb0; &#xb1; 5.7&#xb0; (left), and for 18-25 years, it is 12.6&#xb0; &#xb1; 6.1&#xb0; (right) and 11.9&#xb0; &#xb1; 4.0&#xb0; (left). The difference in knee flexion and valgus angle between legs or the age groups did not find statistically different (P > 0.05). The findings conclude that there was a high prevalence of increased valgus angle among badminton players. However, the flexion angle was found to be optimal. There was no meaningful differences in the knee joint alignments neither between both the legs and the age groups. The study findings can underscore the potential mechanisms and necessary training modifications by emphasising certain neuromuscular control trainings and optimal landing mechanics to ensure a safe and effective badminton-related mechanics, thereby reducing injury risks.

The health status of students affects their learning, quality of life and relationships during their academic and personal life. Access to and use of youth-friendly health services by young people is an important issue that should be taken into account by health authorities when providing services to this group. The objective is to describe the use of primary healthcare (PHC) services by the student population in the Marrakech-Safi region. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students enrolled at public universities in the Marrakech-Safi region, Morocco, during the academic year 2023-2024. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 605 participants. Studied variables included socio-demographic data, student knowledge and use of PHC services. Among the participants, 73.1% were female and the average age of the sample was 22.03 &#xb1; 4.7 years old. A proportion of 64.8% [95% confidence interval (60.8%, 68.6%)] of the respondents had used PHC facilities in the past 12 months, with an average of 2.1 &#xb1; 1.9 visits, 31% of them were from rural areas. The use of PHC facilities was significantly associated with monthly family income ( P = 0.014) and income-generating activity ( P = 0.033). Improving living conditions broadly, especially the socio-economic conditions of young students, may be a sustainable approach to remedy obstacles linked to access to care, and in particular the use of PHC facilities.

Raised serum resistin is adjudged to increase the likelihood of insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through multiple biochemical pathways. The current study assessed the likelihood of IR and T2DM among Nigerians based on serum resistin status. This case-controlled study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria, among 100 T2DM patients matched with age/gender controls. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory data, including serum resistin status, were collected using standard protocols. T2DM diagnosis was made using recommended guidelines. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, logistic regression models, and area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operating characteristic curve at a 95% confidence level (CI) and an alpha value of <0.05. T2DM patients had higher mean values of body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting serum insulin (FIN), homoeostatic model assessment of IR values (HOMA-IR) and serum resistin compared to controls (P < 0.05). Compared to the lowest quartile of serum resistin among T2DM patients, the likelihood of attaining IR status and T2DM risk increased with increasing quartiles of serum resistin, independent of matching factors (age/gender), occupation, BMI, FPG, FIN and HOMA-IR (Ptrend < 0.001). Increasing serum resistin had good predictive value on the likelihood of attaining IR status (AUC: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.72-0.85; P < 0.001) and T2DM risk (AUC: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83-0.93; P < 0.001). Current findings indicate a likelihood of IR and T2DM in association with increasing serum resistin, corroborating the role of resistin in T2DM through IR.

Observational studies have shown a correlation between sex hormones and the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but it remains unclear whether these associations are causal. We aimed to investigate the potential causal relationships between a range of sex hormones and the risk of CTS using a Mendelian randomisation (MR) approach. We selected exposure-related genetic instruments from genome-wide association studies summary data using significance thresholds. The CTS summary data were obtained from two sources: the UK Biobank (UKB) (12,887 cases and 443,461 controls) and the FinnGen consortium (17,198 cases and 273,097 controls). The random-effects inverse variance-weighted method was used as the primary approach for causal analysis, along with complementary weighted median, MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO tests for sensitivity analysis. Fixed-effect model was used to meta-analyse the results from the UKB and FinnGen. The meta-analysis of the MR results from FinnGen and UKB identified potential risk factors that may increase the risk of CTS. These factors include lower sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels (both: odds ratio [OR] =0.628, P < 0.0001; female: OR = 0.601, P < 0.0001; male: OR = 0.717, P < 0.0001) and lower body mass index-adjusted SHBG levels (both: OR = 0.748, P < 0.0001; female: OR = 0.718, P < 0.0001; male: OR = 0.753, P < 0.0001). In males, higher total testosterone (TT) levels (OR = 0.912, P = 0.0052) may decrease the risk of CTS, whereas higher bioavailable testosterone (BAT) levels (OR = 1.370, P < 0.0001) may increase the risk of CTS in females. Oestradiol (E2), progesterone, the ratio of testosterone to oestradiol, androstendione, aldosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone showed no significant causal relationship with CTS risk. This MR study provides insights into the potential role of SHBG, TT and BAT in the development of CTS, highlighting the importance of conducting gender-specific genetic analyses.

Eczema of hand and foot is one of the most common dermatological conditions encountered in the outpatient clinic. Both endogenous and exogenous factors can cause eczema identification and elimination of the triggering factor becomes essential. The primary objective of the study was to assess the diagnostic outcomes of patch testing in hand and foot eczema and to study the distribution of clinical patterns and aetiologies causing hand and foot eczema. Thirty patients diagnosed with hand and foot eczema had a patch test using Indian standard battery series. This prospective observational study was carried out over 18 months at a tertiary care hospital in Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Data entry was done on Microsoft Excel and data analysis was done using SPSS 22 version. P < 0.005 was considered to be significant throughout the study. Patients diagnosed with hand and foot eczema had patch test done using indian standard battery series. The patients were followed up at 48 and 72 h, respectively, and the results were interpreted using international contact dermatitis research group (ICDRG) grading. The study population comprised predominantly of 18 (60%) males and 12 (40%) females with 16 (53.3%) of the entire study population being 41-60 years. Hand eczema was the most common presentation: 19 (63.3%) patients, with itching reported in 29 (96.75%) patients and dryness in 24 (80%) patients, bilateral involvement was observed in 25 (83.3%) cases. The most common exposure was to gloves in 15 (50%) patients followed by detergents in 9 (30%) patients. Hyperkeratotic hand and foot eczema was the most frequent morphological finding documented in 6 patients (20%). Of the 30 patients who had patch testing done, 9 patients (30%) had one positive antigen, 3 had (10%) had three positive antigens, 1 patient (3.3%) had two positive antigens and 17 (56.7%) patients had no positive antigens. The most common antigen was potassium dichromate (25%). Hand and foot eczema remains a challenging dermatological condition due to its chronicity and multifactorial aetiology. Hand eczema is more prevalent than foot eczema and comprises a major part of occupational dermatoses. Patch test being a non-invasive tool helps in ascertaining the causative allergen and plays a significant role in the management of eczema, as avoidance of the allergen forms the cornerstone in the treatment of eczema.

The safety of single-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been a subject of debate due to concerns of morbidity and mortality. The advantages of one-stage (OS) bilateral TKA include shorter recovery time, a shorter hospital stay and perhaps reduced total treatment costs. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications following OS versus two-stage (TS) bilateral TKA for severe osteoarthritis of both the knees. This retrospective comparative analysis was carried out between January 2021 and December 2025 at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano, and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. Clinical outcomes using the KSS scoring system and the rate of complications were recorded. Patients' satisfaction was also documented using the Likert scale. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Using a level of significance of 0.5, the two independent groups were compared using independent Student's t -test. There was no significant difference in post-operative KSS between the two groups ( P = 0.717). The mean post-operative KSS in the OS and TS groups were 97.78 &#xb1; 1.78 and 97.76 &#xb1; 1.74, respectively. Post-operative complications also did not significantly differ in the two groups ( P = 0.712). In properly selected cases, OS bilateral TKA is less expensive and yields clinical outcomes, complication rate and patient satisfaction comparable to those of a TS procedure.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is increasingly being performed as a day-case procedure globally, and the previously held notion of 'interval cholecystectomy' is now being abandoned in favour of early cholecystectomy. Cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is associated with an increased risk of operative difficulty and intraoperative complications. This study aimed at is to assess the safety of day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) for acute cholecystitis. Author to summarize the data collected over 3 years (February 2022 to January 2025) on patients scheduled for either 'urgent' or 'very urgent' laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Data analysis was done with IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0.1.0. A total of 190 patients (age range 22-96 years, median 54) underwent urgent or very urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for 'hot gallbladder'; 145 (76.3%) were discharged on the same day, while 45 (23.7%) required overnight admission due to surgical difficulty or significant co-morbidities requiring monitoring. Out of the 145 day-case patients, the mean intraoperative difficulty score was 2.34 (on a scale of 1-4), with surgery durations ranging from 25 to 205 min (median of 75 min). Only four patients (2.8%) were readmitted within 30 days due to subhepatic abscess, post-operative pain, wound collection and hernia, but none required reoperation, and there was no mortality. DCLC for acute cholecystitis is safe and feasible for the majority of patients, even in complex cases. These results support the increasing role of early and day-case surgery in the management of acute cholecystitis. Enhanced pre-operative patient selection and optimisation, judicious use of surgical drains, streamlined theatre logistics and improved perioperative pain management could further improve the success of day case surgeries and enhance patient quality of life after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Fistula-in-ano (FIA) describes an anal condition in which there is a connecting tract between the perianal skin and the lining of the anal canal. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. Disease recurrence and anal incontinence are major concerns in surgery for FIA. The conventional fistulotomy and fistulectomy have demonstrated superiority over the endoscopic and other sphincter-sparing treatments for FIA. The study aimed at reporting our experiences of surgery for fistula-in-ano. There is a scarcity of local studies on FIA in Nigeria, hence the need to report our experience with surgery for FIA. This is a retrospective review of available records of FIA cases in patients aged 16 years or more managed between February 2016 and February 2025. Information on demographical characteristics, clinical/radiological features and the type and number of surgical treatments for complete healing were retrieved from the records for analysis. Excluded from this study were patients with incomplete records and patients with secondary fistulae. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. We analysed records of 30 cases of FIA. There were 24 males (80%) and 6 females (20%) giving a ratio of 4:1. The mean age of all patients was 40.8 &#xb1; 10.8 years (range: 24-60 years). The modal age group was between 30 and 39 years. Twenty-seven cases (90%) were primary FIA; all patients presented with recurrent anal discharge of pus. Twenty-three patients (76.6%) presented with perianal pain. The number of external openings recorded was single in 22 patients (76.6%). Three patients presented with horseshoe-type FIA. Low-type fistula accounted for 90% of cases. Surgical treatments offered were anal fistulectomy in 11 patients (36.7%), partial fistulectomy and insertion of cutting seton in 11 (36.7%) patients, anal fistulotomy in seven patients (23.3%). Procedure-related complications occurred in six patients (20%). Occasional faecal incontinence was documented by two patients (6.7%). Recurrence after healing of the fistula tract was seen in two patients (6.7%). FIA occurs mostly in males; the majority are of low posterior type. Surgical deroofing or excision of the tract with surgical or seton fistulotomy has a good success rate. It is recommended as the first line of treatment in low-resource settings.

Neonatal sepsis (NS) is one of the greatest concerns in developing countries and the leading cause of mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit. Due to non-specific and overlapping signs, it poses a difficulty for early diagnosis of sepsis. Blood culture, though the gold standard for diagnosis of sepsis, takes at least 72 h to show positive growth. Early indicators are the need of the hour to predict NS, so that early empirical antibiotics could be initiated. To evaluate Mean platelet volume (MPV) and Platelet distribution width (PDW) as early diagnostic marker of neonatal sepsis and to compare their values between septic and non septic neonates. This was a prospective case-control study conducted in a tertiary care centre over a period of 1 year from January 2022 to December 2022. Fifty-three neonates who met the inclusion criteria according to the operational definition of NS were included as cases, while another 53 neonates served as controls. Blood culture, sepsis screen and platelet indices, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW), were performed on all these babies. Relationship between various factors like gestational age, gender, onset of sepsis, blood culture and outcome, with MPV and PDW in cases and control were analysed. During the study period, 53 neonates were included in the case group and 53 neonates in the control group. Early-onset sepsis (EOS) was more frequent in this study, with 32 (60.38%) neonates being diagnosed with EOS. Blood culture was positive in 26 out of 53 (49.06%) of cases, with the most frequent isolate being Burkholderia cepasia followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Gram-negative organisms were the most common organisms seen in 17 (65.38%) of cases with positive blood culture. Mean value of MPV and PDW in cases were 11.3 &#xb1; 2.26 and 57.20 &#xb1; 18.91, respectively, while that in the control group were 9.13 &#xb1; 1.30 and 47.73 &#xb1; 20.02, respectively, with P = 0.00001, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Receiver operating curve for MPV and PDW, considering blood culture as the gold standard, showed the area under the curve for MPV and PDW were 0.831 and 0.644, respectively. MPV and PDW are increased in neonates with sepsis, both in term and preterm. MPV is a better predictor of sepsis compared to PDW. So, both MPV and PDW can be used as a surrogate marker of NS and as a predictor of mortality.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the work-life balance of frontline workers by increasing workload, stress and exposure risks. Despite their crucial role, limited research has examined the specific factors influencing this balance, hindering the development of evidence-based interventions. This study explored the challenges frontline workers faced during the pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 112 frontline workers recruited through convenience sampling. Work-life balance, mental health and recreational activities were assessed using validated instruments. Data were analysed using factor analysis, multiple regression and ANOVA to identify determinants of work-life balance and evaluate the mediating role of recreational activities. Three key factors-responsibility, flexibility and hierarchical culture-were identified as significant influences on work-life balance. Regression analysis showed that the pandemic accounted for approximately 50% of the variance in balance scores, while ANOVA further confirmed its substantial disruptive effect. Recreational activities played a mediating role, with flexibility and supportive organisational culture contributing positively to both mental health and overall well-being. The findings underscore the importance of organisational policies that promote flexible work arrangements, supportive supervisory structures and opportunities for recreational engagement. Such interventions are essential for protecting the well-being and resilience of frontline workers during health crises.

The objective was to assess whether amylase (AMY) and other laboratory parameters have a prognostic value for patients with Paraquat (PQ) poisoning. Standard mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare the endpoints. In total, 17 studies comprising 1673 patients were enrolled, 731 patients (43.69%) were defined as survivors, while 942 patients (56.31%) were considered non-survivors. The levels of AMY and plasma PQ were significantly higher in non-survivors when compared to subjects in the survival group. The white blood cell count, concentration of C-reactive protein, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase and asparagine transaminase were significantly increased in the non-survivor group, while serum potassium, pH and PaCO2 were decreased in the non-survivor group. In addition, PaO2 values were similar between the two groups. Notably, heterogeneity was a key feature across the analyses: most primary and secondary prognostic indicators exhibited high to extreme heterogeneity (I&#xb2; range: 0.0%-96.7%), with the highest heterogeneity observed for CRP (I&#xb2;=96.7%) and PaO2 (I&#xb2;=90.1%). A lower level of AMY and plasma PQ in poisoning patients might have a good prognosis value.