Vitamin D attenuates biofilm-associated infections via immunomodulation and cathelicidin expression: a narrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Infections are becoming more difficult to treat, at least partly on account of microbes that produce biofilms. Reports suggest that decreased levels of antimicrobial peptides like cathelicidin, elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, and biofilm formation are all associated with vitamin D deficiency, making vitamin D - deficient individuals more susceptible to infection. Infections attributable to biofilm-producing microbes can be managed by adjuvant therapy with vitamin D because of its immunomodulatory role, particularly because of the ability of vitamin D-pathway to induce the antimicrobial peptides like cathelicidin and decrease proinflammatory cytokines. AREAS COVERED: This narrative review covers biofilm formation, infections associated with biofilm due to vitamin D deficiency, putative role of vitamin D in host protection and the effect of vitamin D supplementation in biofilm-associated infections. A comprehensive literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar utilizing suitable keywords at multiple time points extracted relevant articles. EXPERT OPINION: Although vitamin D deficiency has been associated with infections by biofilm producing microbes, comprehensive clinical trials in various ethnicities are required to understand the likely relationships between vitamin D receptor gene expression, cathelicidin levels, and infection outcome. Current evidence hypothesizes that maintaining normal vitamin D level can help prevent and treat these infections.

Predictors of treatment outcomes in drug resistant tuberculosis-observational retrospective study.

Background: In this study, we evaluate the predictors of treatment outcomes in drug resistant tuberculosis. Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted by using the medical records of patients confirmed for TB at Kasturba Medical College from January 2015 to December 2018. Results: Four hundred and sixty-two TB patients were included in this study. Of the total TB-confirmed patients, about 85.1% are diagnosed with pulmonary TB (PTB) (n = 393), 11.7% were extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) (n = 54), and 3.2% (n = 15) cases had both PTB and EPTB. Among the 462 cases, the frequency of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was 25% (n = 117), extensively drug-resistant TB was 1% (n = 3), and non-MDR cases were 74% (n = 342). The frequency of unsuccessful treatment outcome was 92.9% (n = 429) and successful outcome was 7.1% (n = 33). There were 68.2% of new and 31.8% retreatment cases of TB. HIV co-infection was found in 2.3% (n = 14) of TB cases, and among them, 64.3% (n = 9) were found in PTB cases. The major comorbidities found were diabetes (21.2%), weight loss (12.6%), and anemia (12.6%). There was a difference in rate of PTB cases across years decreasing in the year 2017, whereas ETB cases were increasing in the year 2017. The TB treatment success rate was increased from 2015 (4.8%) to 2018 (8.3%). Conclusion: The higher rate of poor treatment outcome emphasizes the need of improvement in TB surveillance, treatment, more stringent follow-up, monitoring, and patient education to ensure complete and successful treatment.

Depression and anxiety associated with COVID- 19 pandemic among healthcare professionals in India- A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: As India is fighting against the second wave of COVID-19, Healthcare professionals are the front-line warriors on that battlefield which puts them under psychological pressure, this systematic review aims to critically look into and amalgamate the evidence on impact of COVID-19 on psychological health of healthcare professionals in India and to seek the attention of policymakers. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using the following databases PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect. Additionally, random search in Google, Google Scholar and ResearchGate was also performed until February 2021. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using Downs and Black for reporting quality. Meta-analysis was performed using revMAN. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO and is available online. RESULT: Prevalence of depression was found to be present in 41.90% of 5796 participants in five studies (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 29.17 to 54.64), and prevalence of anxiety was found to be 42.87% common in 10 studies with a total sample size of 3059 people (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 30.26 to 55.49), Stress was found to be prevalent (58.04%) in 12 studies with 4209 participants, (95% CI: 44.81-71.28), Prevalence of sleeping problem in 3 studies with 416 participants recorded a prevalence rate of 31.94 (95% CI: 21.38-42.49). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people's mental and physical health, particularly among health-care workers. Authorities should develop programmes to help health-care workers improve their mental health.

EE-6S: an integrated approach for introducing early clinical exposure in the new Egyptian medical curriculum.

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the primary diagnostic tool in cardiovascular diseases. Hence its interpretation is a core competency in medicine, where obvious deficiencies have been reported among learners. The aim of this study was to introduce the fundamentals of ECG knowledge and interpretation through early clinical exposure (ECE) based on a six-step approach for preclinical students (n = 110) and to study its influence on their knowledge and interpretation skills thereafter. The first step employed a blended learning format using didactic lectures on normal and pathological ECGs, each preceded by preinstructional videos. The second step focused on psychomotor skills and utilized laboratory exercises for ECG recording and interpretation. The third step focused on vertical integration, where the clinical relevance of the procedure was established with integrated lectures. The fourth step used the Moodle platform, where opportunities for peer interactions and clarifications by clinical faculty were made available. The fifth step incorporated clinical and diagnostic reasoning through cardiology ward visits and interpretation of patient ECGs. The sixth step was designed for critical thinking and problem solving through case-based discussions with peers and faculty. Students were assessed with multiple-choice questions and objective structured practical examination. Learner perceptions of the approach were evaluated with a feedback questionnaire and focus group discussion. Statistical analysis showed that ECE through a six-step approach significantly enhanced knowledge and interpretation of ECG as evidenced by the pre- and posttest scores. Analysis of the focus group data revealed that learner engagement and skills of critical thinking were enhanced along with diagnostic and clinical reasoning.