Effect of IV ferric carboxy maltose for moderate/severe anemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Anemia remains a prevalent global health issue with varying severity. Intravenous iron supplementation, particularly with ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), has appeared as a possible therapeutic intervention for individuals with moderate to severe anemia. The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in reducing anemia. Methods: We searched electronic databases, registries, websites, e-libraries, reference lists of reviews, citations, etc. We included randomized control trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, and single-arm studies, while observational studies, case series, and case studies were excluded. Two reviewers independently screened the studies and extracted the data. We included studies of moderate-to-severely anemic Indians and excluded Indians with other comorbidities. We assessed the risk of bias and the overall quality of evidence (QoE) using GRADE GDT. Result: We identified 255 studies and included 14 studies (11 RCT, one non-RCT, and two single-arm studies) with 1,972 participants for qualitative analysis and 10 studies in the meta-analysis. All the included studies detailed the use of FCM for anemia. The primary outcomes assessed in the included studies were anemia, hemoglobin, and adverse events. The outcomes assessed ranged from 2 weeks to 12 weeks. The risk of bias varied across different studies with different outcomes. FCM is consistent with a fewer number of adverse events as compared to other interventions and provides "moderate" to "very low" QoE. Conclusion: A slow single infusion of 1 gram of FCM is well-tolerated, safe, and effective in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and surpasses other interventions (Iron Sucrose Complex (ISC), Iron sucrose, and ferrous ascorbate) in elevating hemoglobin levels and replenishing iron stores. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=459363, CRD42023459363.

A protocol for the development of PhyCaRe: An extension of the CARE guideline for physiotherapy using the Delphi method.

Background: Case reports are one of the important forms of documentation and publication of clinical physiotherapy presenting the first line of evidence in scientific literature. In order to provide a systematic and precise structure for reporting and presenting cases, the CARE guidelines were established in 2013. However, these guidelines present limitations as while reporting require items of specific specialties following the checklist. Authors from different specialities have developed CARE extensions specifying the characteristic features of corresponding fields, however, an extension dealing with physiotherapy assessment and line of management in the CARE guidelines is proposed as PhyCaRe. Method: After consulting with the advisors, a draft will be prepared of the specific elements that should be included in the PhyCaRe using web Delphi methodology considering CARE statement as the source and SurveyMonkey will be used to undertake the web Delphi questionnaire. The web Delphi methodology will be assumed for three rounds and will be open to physiotherapists and others with substantial experience in reviewing case reports. Subsequently, an online consensus meeting, pilot testing, and submission of the CARE extension for physiotherapy will be conducted for publication. Dissemination: The 2010 "Guidance for Developers of Health Research Reporting" and instructions from the EQUATOR Network will be followed in the preparation of PhyCaRe guidelines. The guidelines will be propagated at different platforms and journals will be requested to adopt the guidelines. Registration: The reporting guideline under development is prospectively registered on the EQUATOR Network website on PhyCaRe - Reporting guideline for physiotherapy case reports.

A protocol for cloning, expression, and purification of Lysine exporter (LysE) gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is among the deadliest diseases and a significant cause of illnessacross the globe. Several studies on mycobacterial proteins, such as proteases and transporters that are essential for survival and pathogenesis have aimed to develop an efficient anti-tubercular agent. In mycobacterium, lysine exporter (LysE) is an amino acid transporter and a probable target for an anti-tubercular agent as it is responsible for bacterial growth inhibition and is also absent in the widely used Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Methods: Some studies have purified LysE using different protocols. This study describes a protocol for purifying different constructs of LysE, focusing on its hydrophobic region using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) after expressing LysE gene in a bacterial expression system. pET vector (pET28a) is used as an expression vector. Amplified LysE gene is ligated with the pET28a vector, and the resultant plasmid is then transformed into E. coli cells. The vector has a histidine tag that makes the purification process convenient. After IMAC, the samples will be subjected to size-exclusion chromatography for further purification. Results: Cloning and amplification findings will be analyzed using 1% agarose gel, and protein expression and purification outcomes will be examined using sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Domain-specific constructs of LysE can be further analyzed as an anti-tubercular agent. Conclusions: Despite being a potential anti-tubercular target, research is quite limited on this protein. Therefore, we aim to purify LysE protein for further analysis. Similar protocols have already been implemented to purify several other bacterial proteins with >95% purity.

One Health System Strengthening in India: Co-creating One Health Workforce to Combat Future Pandemics.

One Health has been coming of age through the G7 and G20 leadership and explicitly referred to in increasing ministerial declarations. Those leaderships, however, have been slow in knitting the One Health approach into the larger systems approach. by understanding the complexity of resilience and health system resilience is one of the key features of pandemic preparedness. Among others, health system strengthening is another key factor that urgently requires much attention in the theme of pandemic preparedness. Here, how the health system strengthening requires more imperative attention in the One Health gambit is discussed in the Indian context.

Does Digitally Enabling Frontline Health Workers Improve Coverage and Quality of Maternal and Child Health Services? Findings From a Mixed Methods Evaluation of TECHO+ in Gujarat.

Introduction: Technology Enabled Community Health Operations (TeCHO+) is a mobile and web-based application (app) for frontline health workers. It includes features such as real-time data entry, automated generation of the work plan, and a decision support system generating alerts for high-risk cases. Since 2019, the programme is implemented across all 33 districts of Gujarat, catering to a population of over 60 million. This study aims to compare changes in the coverage, quality of data reporting maternal and child health services, and time spent in the documentation before and after the introduction of the TeCHO+ app. Methods: To address the study aim, a mixed-method design with a realist evaluation approach was adopted. The survey was conducted with randomly selected beneficiaries from 32 sub-centers across two districts of Gujarat State in India. We surveyed 215 postpartum women and mothers of 102 children at baseline (pre) and 246 postpartum women and mothers of 119 children post 1 year of the TeCHO+ programme intervention in 2020. For qualitative data, total 29 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, 12 Data Entry Operators and 10 Primary Health Center Medical Officers were purposively selected from 32 PHCs and interviewed to understand the pathways leading to the programme outcome. Results: Following introduction of TeCHO+, the coverage of full antenatal care (ANC; 75.6% vs. 67.9%, p-value < 0.0001), consumption of at least 180 iron-folic acid tablets (93% vs. 77%, p-value < 0.001), early initiation of breastfeeding (42.7% vs. 24.2%, p-value < 0.001), five home-visits by ANM during the first month after delivery (36.2% vs. 27.9%, p-value = 0.056), HBV0 vaccination (67.2% vs. 35.3%, p-value < 0.0001) and Pentavalent 2 (100% vs. 95.1%, p-value = 0.015) improved. The overall concordance rate for routine maternal health indicators (a measure of data quality) improved from 69.1 to 80.5%, while that for routine child health indicators improved from 86.6 to 92.1%. The programme resulted in 1.7 h saving a day of ANM's productive time and 1.5 h (a day) of data entry operator's time. Conclusions: The TeCHO+ programme has improved access to care. It impacted both coverage of maternal and child health services and data reporting quality of various maternal and child high-risk conditions. Considering the programme's success, other disease services might be added to the scope of TeCHO+ software.

Tuberculosis Monitoring Encouragement Adherence Drive (TMEAD): Toward improving the adherence of the patients with drug-sensitive tuberculosis in Nashik, Maharashtra.

Introduction: Adherence to tuberculosis (TB) medication is one of the critical challenges to tuberculosis elimination in India. Digital adherence technologies (DAT) have the potential to facilitate medication adherence and monitor it remotely. Tuberculosis Monitoring Encouragement Adherence Drive (TMEAD) is one such DAT piloted in Nasik, Maharashtra, from April 2020 to December 2021. The study aims to assess the adherence and cost-effectiveness of TMEAD compared to the standard of care among patients with drug-sensitive tuberculosis (DSTB) residing in the urban areas of Nasik, Maharashtra, India. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among new cases of TB as per the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) residing in the urban geography of Nasik. The intervention and control arms were purposively selected from non-contaminating TB units (TUs). A total of 400 DSTB patients (200 in the intervention group and 200 in the control group) were enrolled. After enrolment, patients in the intervention arm were provided with the TMEAD device and followed for 24 weeks to assess treatment outcomes. Adherence was measured as those patients who have completed 80% of prescribed doses, as reported during patient follow-up, and further validated by analyzing the trace of rifampicin in urine among 20% of patients from both arms. A budget impact analysis was done to assess the impact of the TMEAD program on the overall state health budget. Results: Out of 400 enrolled DSTB patients, 261 patients completed treatment, 108 patients were on treatment, 15 patients died, and 16 patients were defaulters over the study period. The study reported overall treatment adherence of 94% among those who completed treatment. Patient reports indicated high levels of treatment adherence in the intervention group (99%) as compared to the control group (90%). Adherence assessed through analyzing trace of rifampicin in the urine sample for the intervention arm was 84% compared to the control arm (80%). Per beneficiary (discounted) cost for TMEAD was Indian rupees (INR) 6,573 (USD 83). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the intervention is INR 11,599 (USD 146), which shows that the intervention is highly cost-effective. Conclusion: This study revealed that patient-reported treatment adherence was high in TMEAD when compared to standard therapy of care for DSTB patients and the intervention is cost-effective. TMEAD could complement the national strategy to end TB by improving adherence to the treatment regimen in India.

Splenic Artery Embolization in Subcapsular Splenic Hematoma Secondary to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a common syndrome of dengue viral infection but complications such as sub-capsular splenic hematoma leading to capsular rupture in dengue are rare. We report a case of a young male who presented with fever, breathlessness, and acute abdomen. His CT of the abdomen revealed subcapsular splenic hematoma measuring 16.7 cm × 13.0 cm × 11 cm. His laboratory parameters were suggestive of anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury, coagulopathy, and hepatopathy because of which instead of splenectomy, splenic artery embolization with ultrasound-guided splenic hemorrhage drainage was performed for his management as his clinical condition deteriorated. This case report sensitizes newer modalities of treatment of subcapsular splenic hematoma with splenic arterial embolization.

Interventions for Addressing Anemia Among Children and Adolescents: An Overview of Systematic Reviews.

Context: Anemia is a public health problem that can lead to growth, cognitive, and motor impairments. Objective: To collate evidence on interventions for addressing childhood and adolescent anemia. Methods: In this overview of systematic reviews, we included Cochrane as well as non-Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs) irrespective of language and publication status. Two sets of review authors independently screened articles for eligibility and extracted data from relevant SRs. We present data in a tabular format and summarize results based on outcome reported, age of participants, and type of interventions. We also adopt a "measurement for change" approach to assess the utility of measurement for development of interventions in childhood and adolescent anemia. Results: Our search yielded 2,601 records of which 31 SRs were found eligible for inclusion. Results were favorable for fortification and supplementation with clear reduction in the risk of anemia and increase in hemoglobin levels across all age groups. Other interventions reported by the SRs were inconclusive and suggest further research. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that fortification or supplementation with iron and micronutrients leads to better reduction in the risk of anemia and improvements in hemoglobin levels among children and adolescents. Results of this overview can help decision makers in informing selection of interventions to address childhood and adolescent anemia. Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42016053687.

Ghrelin as a Promising Therapeutic Option for Cancer Cachexia.

Cachexia is a devastating complication of cancer and an important cause of morbidity and mortality and can have a great effect on quality of life, and sense of self-esteem. Unfortunately; there is no standard cure available for cancer cachexia. Ghrelin; a 28 amino acid orexigenic gut hormone and its mimetics have shown potential benefits in reversing the breakdown of protein and weight loss in catabolic states like cancer cachexia. Ghrelin has effects on several vital pathways in the regulation of appetite, and composition of the body. It increases the secretion of growth hormone and reduces energy expenditure. It plays an important role in regulation of processes associated with cancer and antagonizing protein breakdown in catabolic conditions such as cancer cachexia. Additionally, ghrelin has anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anxiolytic effects. Administration of ghrelin for short-term has been found to be well-tolerated and safe. These versatile actions of ghrelin and its safety can render it as a potentially useful novel therapy for patients with cancer cachexia. However; there is a need to generate more evidence to support the use of ghrelin in the management of cancer cachexia.

Building Interdisciplinary Leadership Skills among Health Practitioners in the Twenty-First Century: An Innovative Training Model.

Transformational learning is the focus of twenty-first century global educational reforms. In India, there is a need to amalgamate the skills and knowledge of medical, nursing, and public health practitioners and to develop robust leadership competencies among them. This initiative proposed to identify interdisciplinary leadership competencies among Indian health practitioners and to develop a training program for interdisciplinary leadership skills through an Innovation Collaborative. Medical, nursing, and public health institutions partnered in this endeavor. An exhaustive literature search was undertaken to identify leadership competencies in these three professions. Published evidence was utilized in searching for the need for interdisciplinary training of health practitioners, including current scenarios in interprofessional health education and the key competencies required. The interdisciplinary leadership competencies identified were self-awareness, vision, self-regulation, motivation, decisiveness, integrity, interpersonal communication skills, strategic planning, team building, innovation, and being an effective change agent. Subsequently, a training program was developed, and three training sessions were piloted with 66 participants. Each cohort comprised a mix of participants from different disciplines. The pilot training guided the development of a training model for building interdisciplinary leadership skills and organizing interdisciplinary leadership workshops. The need for interdisciplinary leadership competencies is recognized. The long-term objective of the training model is integration into the regular medical, nursing, and public health curricula, with the aim of developing interdisciplinary leadership skills among them. Although challenging, formal incorporation of leadership skills into health professional education is possible within the interdisciplinary classroom setting using principles of transformative learning.

Risk factors of type-2 diabetes mellitus in rural Wardha: A community based study.

CONTEXT: The rise in diabetes mellitus (DM) portends a disaster of major proportion worldwide. AIM: To study the determinants of type-2 DM in people who are >/=45 years of age by selective screening methodology in rural area of Wardha district. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in a rural area of Wardha district. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted among those who are at risk of developing DM, as per the WHO guidelines on Laboratory Diagnosis and monitoring of Diabetes Mellitus 2002. Blood glucose estimation was done using a blood glucose meter. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Multiple Logistic Regression. RESULTS: Eight point four nine percent of the 306 persons above the age of 45 years were diabetic. This study also revealed that the proportion of people diagnosed with DM increases with increasing age groups. Mean fasting and post meal blood glucose level (in mg%) among the study participants (nondiabetics) were 83.6 +/- 1.6 and 129.9 +/- 1.9 and mean fasting and post meal blood glucose level among diabetics were 138.8 +/- 2.1 and 220.7 +/- 1.9, respectively. The difference between the post meal blood glucose level among the diabetics and nondiabetics was statistically significant. The proportion of diabetics was more among those who had family history of diabetes (8.6%), BMI more than 25 (24.1%) and those with sedentary lifestyle (10.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of preventive measures to reduce the burden of diabetes is needed. Identification of the environmental factors adversely related to glucose intolerance helps evolve preventive strategies.