Research works

Comparative study of intraoperative blood glucose levels in patients undergoing elective cesarean section: Spinal versus general anesthesia – a prospective observational study

Background: Anesthesia and surgery trigger a neuroendocrine stress response that elevates blood glucose through catecholamine and cortisol secretion. The choice of anesthetic technique significantly influences this metabolic response, particularly in obstetric patients undergoing...

Shunt-preserving splenectomy in congenital splenic vein agenesis with a giant arch of barkow: case report

Splenic vein agenesis is a rare condition. To date, only two cases have been reported. We report the case of a 13-year-old female child who presented with abdominal pain and splenomegaly. Cross-sectional imaging confirmed splenomegaly, with splenic vein agenesis and a collateral...

Integrating artificial intelligence into resource-constrained clinics in South Asia

INTRODUCTION The global discourse on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare often emphasizes resource-intensive infrastructure: Advanced graphics processing units, enterprise-level electronic health records (EHRs), and seamless highspeed connectivity. Yet across the healthcar...

Predicting fetal lung maturity using the fetal main pulmonary artery Doppler indices

Background: Non-invasive assessment of fetal main pulmonary artery (MPA) Doppler indices may provide a reliable predictor of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the MPA Doppler indices as predictors of neonatal RDS and t...

Comparison between two radiation schedules in palliative radiotherapy of head and neck cancer

Background: Advanced head and neck cancers frequently present at incurable stages, where palliative radiotherapy is essential for symptom control. Conventional hypofractionated schedules often cause significant toxicity. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare cl...

Serum cytokeratin-18 levels in patients with alcoholic liver disease with and without alcoholic hepatitis: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary care hospital in East Sikkim

Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) spans from steatosis to cirrhosis often presenting with or without alcoholic hepatitis (AH). Cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) has emerged as a potential biomarker in alcohol-related liver injury and may provide additional information beyond convent...

Emerging approaches to fertility preservation in women: A systematic review of clinical advances and ethical considerations

Fertility preservation has emerged as an important component of reproductive health care, particularly for women at risk of infertility due to medical treatments or delayed childbearing. Advances in cryopreservation techniques and increasing awareness have expanded its clinical a...

Diagnostic utility of polymerase chain reaction in Hansen’s disease: Correlation with clinical and histopathological findings

Background: Leprosy (Hansen’s disease), caused by Mycobacterium leprae, remains a source of morbidity, disability, and stigma despite India achieving elimination as a public health problem in 2005–2006. Early diagnosis is critical for timely treatment and prevention of transmissi...

Comparison between lignocaine patch and diclofenac patch on venepuncture pain relief in adult patients

Background: Venous cannulation and propofol injection are common sources of pain and distress in surgical patients. While lignocaine (lidocaine) patch and diclofenac patch have been compared separately with other interventions in several studies, both the drugs have not been eval...

Comparison of lignocaine spray 10% versus normal saline spray for pain relief during intravenous cannulation in adults

Background: Venepuncture, a simple procedure, is associated with pain, anxiety, and discomfort. While the application of coolant has been extensively studied, lignocaine (lidocaine) spray has been sparingly evaluated with variable advantages. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed...

Intramedullary epidermoid cyst of the thoracic spine without spinal dysraphism in a child: A rare case report with favorable surgical outcome

Intramedullary epidermoid cysts are extremely rare benign spinal lesions, especially in pediatric patients without associated spinal dysraphism or prior surgical history. We report a case of a 9-year-old female presenting with progressive spastic paraparesis and sensory deficits....

Assessment of serum Vitamin D status in hypertensive patients at tertiary care academic hospital

Background: Vitamin D is essential for calcium homeostasis and exerts widespread effects on cardiovascular physiology through the Vitamin D receptor (VDR). Emerging evidence suggests that Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to hypertension through the modulation of the renin–angi...

Comparative study of intravenous clonidine versus fentanyl in attenuating hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation

Background: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation trigger a transient sympathetic surge causing tachycardia and hypertension, which can be harmful in patients with comorbidities. Clonidine and fentanyl are used to attenuate this response, but comparative evidence on their effectiv...

Beyond pre-oxygenation: Contemporary strategies for prevention of peri-intubation hypoxia in anesthesia and critical care

Peri-intubation hypoxia remains a major cause of airway-related morbidity and mortality during anesthesia and critical care airway management. Critically ill patients, obese individuals, pregnant women, and patients with limited physiological reserve are especially vulnerable to...

Recurrent pituitary Cushing’s disease with post-radiotherapy panhypopituitarism: An 18-year case follow-up

Cushing’s disease (CD) is a form of Cushing’s syndrome, caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pituitary tumor. CD typically presents as weight gain, headache, and fatigue, and is associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and psychiatric disorders. Transsphenoi...

Study on knowledge, attitude, and practice on antibiotic use and resistance in the urban community, Kancheepuram District

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health concern. Self-medication and the misconception about antibiotics are the major drivers of resistance. The key factors in the use of antibiotics are the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of the peopl...

Linear stapler-assisted subtotal cholecystectomy in portal cavernoma: A novel technical approach to a hostile Calot’s triangle

Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) with portal cavernoma (PC) presents a significant technical challenge during cholecystectomy due to extensive collateralization in the hepatoduodenal ligament. We report a novel technique of stapled subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) perfor...

Predictive values of pre-operative airway assessment for difficult laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation: Comparison of ratio of height to thyromental distance, modified Mallampati score, and upper lip bite test

Background: Difficult airway management continues to be the single most common cause of morbidity and mortality attributable to anesthesia. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to assess the ratio of height to thyromental distance (RHTMD), modified Mallampati score (MMS), and upper li...

CO snow lines are stabilized by the vertical transport of volatiles

Volatile evolution in protoplanetary discs determines the compositional evolution of forming planets. Below their sublimation temperatures, volatiles freeze out from the vapour phase onto dust grains in the disc and transition to being dynamically coupled to the dust component as...

Educator Experiences of Schoolwide PBIS Discipline Implementation: Exploring School Culture in Private PK–12 Schools

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore educators’ lived experiences implementing schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) discipline systems and to understand how those experiences influenced school culture in private PK–12 schools. Hist...