Effectiveness of Kabasura Kudineer tablets in the management of asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19: A pilot double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in 2020. It has had a devastating effect on human life and the global economy. To date, there is no proven therapy for COVID-19, even though rigorous research is ongoing to test multiple compounds across all systems of medicine. A need was felt to systematically explore the Indian system of medicine to assess its efficacy against COVID-19. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of Kabasura Kudineer as a standalone therapy on the following: time required to achieve symptom relief & resolution, virological clearance, and levels of IL6, CRP and IgG, and compare it to the standard therapy available for treatment of COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in 110 participants. 55 participants were enrolled in the Kabasura Kudineer arm and 55 in the control (standard therapy + Kabasura Kudineer placebo) arm. Study participants were randomly allocated into the two study arms. They were assessed for symptoms at baseline, and on Day 5 and Day 10. RT PCR, CRP, IL6 and IgG levels were measured at baseline, Day 5 and Day 10. On day 28, participants were interviewed telephonically for symptom assessment alone. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A per-protocol approach was used. Significant difference between two groups was assessed at baseline, day 5 and day 10 using the Chi-square and Mann Whitney test. RESULT: A total of 110 patients participated in study. Four patients in the Kabasura Kudineer arm and 9 in the Standard therapy arm were lost to follow-up. Baseline characteristics for both the groups were matched at baseline. 83.9% and 93.9% patients were relieved of all symptoms by the 10th day in Kabasura and standard therapy groups respectively. Decrease in CRP level was more pronounced in the Kabasura group compared to standard therapy viz. 3 mg/l and 1.26 mg/l. No significant difference was found in IgG level and IL6 levels in both the study groups. However, it was noticed that among the unvaccinated group, the surge in IgG levels was much higher in Kabasura Kudineer group than the standard therapy group. CONCLUSION: Kabasura Kudineer as a standalone therapy was as effective and safe as the standard therapy among patients with asymptomatic to mild COVID-19.

Ascertainment of causes of neonatal death using verbal autopsy in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: A cross-sectional study.

Background: India shares a huge burden of the total number of global neonatal deaths. The neonatal mortality rate in Uttarakhand is higher in comparison to the national rate. Understanding the causes and contextual factors that contribute to neonatal deaths is critical for developing a health programme and policy. Therefore, this study was aimed to ascertain causes of neonatal deaths using verbal autopsy in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Material and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand from July 2018 to June 2019. The study participants were mothers or primary caregivers of deceased neonates. The verbal autopsy tool of the National Health Mission, Government of India was used to collect data. All neonatal deaths from July 2018 to June 2019 were included in this study. The cause of neonatal death was ascertained by two independent doctors. Results: A total of 23 neonatal deaths could be traced during July 2018 through June 2019 in Rishikesh. One death was excluded from the study. Sixty-eight percent (15/22) of neonatal deaths occurred in the first week of life. Major causes of neonatal deaths were perinatal asphyxia (7/22), congenital malformation (6/22), and prematurity (4/22). Most (9/22) of the delays were in making a decision to seek medical care for neonates. Conclusion: The major causes of neonatal deaths were perinatal asphyxia, congenital malformation, and prematurity. Most of the deaths occurred during the early neonatal period.

Is "Initial Size of the Graft the Real Culprit behind Primary Contraction of Full-Thickness Skin Graft"? - A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Primary contraction of full-thickness graft has been traditionally quoted to be 40%. There are lacunae in literature to elaborate on the factors influencing it ever since. Methods About 75 subjects who underwent full-thickness grafting procedures to resurface small defects were included in the study. The initial and final graft dimensions after primary contraction were traced on X-ray templates and the percentage of contraction was evaluated using the graphical method. This was further correlated with age, collagen, elastic matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and -2 content along with dermal thickness of the skin specimen sent from the graft. Results The primary contraction of the graft had a very significant correlation only with the initial size of graft harvested with a linear regression of 33.3% and a Spearman's correlation of 0.587 significant at a p -value of 0.001. Conclusion This study though preliminary tries to highlight an important factor that primary contraction of grafts is a physical phenomenon independent of its contents like collagen, elastin, or MMP-1 and -2 or age and dependent on its initial size of harvest instead.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (ASB) in Pregnant Women in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is prevalent during pregnancy. If it goes undetected, it can lead to urinary tract infection with severe maternal and neonatal complications. Until date, India does not have any guidelines to test for ASB during pregnancy. Objective: To estimate the pooled prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women at national level in India. Material and Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using search strategy with keyword. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of study. The checklist of the JBI was used for evaluating the quality of reporting. The extracted data were analyzed, and the results were reported using a random-effects model with 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis was conducted for zones of India, parity and trimester. Publication bias is reported as funnel plot. Result: Pooled prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women in India is 13.5% [CI 11.1; 15.8]. Subgroup analysis based on the various geographic zones of the country the pooled prevalence ranged from 9.2% in central zone to 14.8% in south zone. Distribution of prevalence of ASB as per parity was approximately identical. The prevalence of ASB was found to be high in third (21.8%). Conclusion: The prevalence of ASB is found to be high among Indian pregnant women, especially in third trimester. It is therefore recommended for guideline to screen and treat every pregnant woman for ASB to prevent further complications.

Effectiveness of Integrated Google Classroom, Reciprocal Peer Teaching and Flipped Classroom on Learning Outcomes of Research Methodology: A Natural Experiment.

Background To maintain physical distancing for reducing the spread of COVID-19, online learning appears to be a viable option to carry on teaching and learning. Aim The aim of study was to assess the effectiveness of integrated flipped classroom and reciprocal peer teaching (RPT) using Google Classroom as a learning management system (LMS) for teaching and learning, a module of Research Methodology. We also aimed to assess learner's satisfaction. Methods An educational interventional study was conducted with 17 students enrolled in the Master of Public Health course, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, for one month. As per protocol development and integration were conducted and validated pre- and post-tests were held for assessment of knowledge and skill component. Class normalized learning gain was used as objective measure for improvement in knowledge and skill. Students' feedback was collected using a structured questionnaire at the end of module. Results Mean test scores of knowledge and skill, improved significantly from 26.4 (11.95) to 33.64 (6.63) and 17.88 (5.7) to 62.76 (18.18) respectively. Class average normalized gain for knowledge and skill was 30.28% and 55.67, respectively. Students agreed that online learning imparted good understanding, at comfortable pace, opportunity for interaction. Students felt poor network affected their learning. Conclusion The study concluded that flipped classroom and RPT integrated with Google Classroom is an effective intervention.

India Fighting COVID-19: Experiences and Lessons Learned From the Successful Kerala and Bhilwara Models.

The COVID-19 pandemic marks its emergence in China in December 2019. India reported its first case on January 30th 2020 which happened to be epidemiologically linked to China. On March 24, India went into nationwide lockdown. The number of cases increased in the country and a few hotspots were identified. Cluster containment strategy seemed to be effective in containing the disease and breaking the chain of transmission. Two models (Kerala and Bhilwara) emerged as a lesson for other states. Kerala government implemented a "triple-lock containment strategy" and Bhilwara district administration followed "all down curfew" with massive sample testing. The experiences from these successful field models can be implemented in other districts and states to flatten the COVID-19 curve.

Mortality benefit in the COMPASS trial: is it related to superior statistical power or better efficacy and safety?

Until recently, attempts to improve the benefit of aspirin by adding another antithrombotic agent have not resulted in a mortality reduction in patients with chronic symptomatic atherosclerosis. In this population, COMPASS is the only one among six trials to show a significant mortality reduction, thereby providing evidence of a clear net clinical benefit with the combination of low-dose rivaroxaban plus aspirin. In this systematic review, we sought to determine whether the mortality benefit of the combination arm in COMPASS is best explained by greater statistical power or by a more favorable efficacy-safety profile than the other regimens evaluated in patients with chronic symptomatic atherosclerosis.

Reduction in Mortality following Elective Major Hip and Knee Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews reporting time trends in mortality following major orthopaedic surgery are few and have limitations. They reported on only a fraction (< 15%) of the available data and did not investigate potential causes of the reduction in mortality. METHODS: We searched PubMed for randomized trials and observational studies, published between 1950 and 2016, reporting on mortality within 3 months of elective total hip and knee replacement (THR/TKR). Mortality risks were estimated for each 5-year interval using a Poisson regression model and presented by study design and mode of prophylaxis. To estimate the mortality reduction unrelated to anti-thrombotic use, we performed a pooled analysis of four thromboprophylaxis strategies for which data spanned five decades. RESULTS: We identified 255 eligible studies, which documented 31,604 deaths among 6,293,954 patients, and found a consistent decline in mortality irrespective of study design and mode of prophylaxis. Mortality declined from 1.15% pre-1980 to 0.24% post-2000, a 78.7% relative risk reduction (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74.7-82.1%) in randomized and cohort studies. Furthermore, our data showed a 74.4% (95% CI: 68.7-79.0%) relative reduction in mortality independent of the methods of prophylaxis, thereby indicating that improvements in peri-operative care unrelated to anti-thrombotic prophylaxis played a major role in such reduction. CONCLUSION: Mortality following elective THR/TKR has markedly declined over the past 50 years and is now low irrespective of which prophylactic agent is being used. Although anti-thrombotic prophylaxis may have contributed, other improvements in peri-operative care played a major role in the mortality reduction.

A Comparative Study on Quantitative Assessment of Blood Flow and Vascularization in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients and Normal Women Using Three-Dimensional Power Doppler Ultrasonography.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To compare the quantitative assessment of blood flow and vascularization of ovaries in polycystic ovary syndrome patients and normal women using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography. METHODS: This cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted on women of reproductive age group (15-45 years) attending Gynaecology OPD AIMSR, Bathinda, Punjab. Thirty women were enrolled in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) group and 30 healthy women in control group. Women were categorized as polycystic ovary syndrome according to Rotterdam's criteria. The women with PCOS underwent transvaginal USG Doppler on day 6 of the cycle using 3D power Doppler USG equipment (GE Voluson E8), and vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) were measured. RESULTS: The mean values of VI, FI and VFI measured by power Doppler ultrasonography were significantly increased (P value = 0.000) in women with PCOS when compared with healthy women. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that blood flow and vascularization measured by 3D power Doppler ultrasonography in ovaries of polycystic ovary syndrome patients were significantly more than the ovaries of normal women.

Directly observed iron supplementation for control of iron deficiency anemia.

Anemia is major public health problem affecting 1.6 billion people worldwide. The poor compliance of iron supplementation remains main contributor for high prevalence of anemia. The current paper reviewed the effectiveness of direct observation of oral iron supplementation on anemia. A systematic search was performed through electronic databases and local libraries. Search strategies used subject headings and key words "directly observed" and "iron supplementation." Searches were sought through April 2014. A total of 14 articles were included in the study. Findings were presented in three categories. First, all of those reported an improvement in compliance of iron supplementation. Second, reduction in the prevalence of anemia was reported by all and third, all except one reported increased blood hemoglobin level. Directly observed an iron supplementation is an effective approach for prevention and management of anemia in vulnerable groups. However, larger trials are needed before concluding that scaling up directly observed iron supplementation through community health volunteers would be beneficial.

Improving quality of home-based postnatal care by microteaching of multipurpose workers in rural and urban slum areas of Chandigarh, India: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Microteaching is an efficient teaching tool to improve skills. Until now, its use is very limited in the health sector. A pilot study was carried out to improve the quality of home-based postnatal care by microteaching of health workers (HWs) and ascertain its feasibility for supportive supervision. METHODS: All (n=12) the HWs catering to a population of ~0.1 million were video recorded while performing home-based postnatal check up in Chandigarh from August 2013 to December 2014. After each round, HWs were shown their videos and trained in the facility and at home. Video recordings, assessments followed by training, continued until HWs acquired the intended skills. A pretested structured checklist based on the national home-based postnatal care guidelines was used for recording and assessing of postnatal skills. A score "0" given for no task, "1" for incorrectly done or partially done task, and "2" for correct task. The average score of each round was calculated and compared. RESULTS: The overall skill assessment score improved from 0.64 to 1.76, newborn examination skill from 0.52 to 1.63, maternal examination from 0.54 to 1.62, and counseling from 1.01 to 1.85 after three rounds of video recording. The proportion of HWs carrying a thermometer increased from 21% to 100%. Second and third rounds of video recording and microteaching were successfully carried out by the program supervisors. CONCLUSION: This was the first study to report on the effective use of microteaching in improving home-based postnatal care skills of the health care workers and its feasibility for supportive supervision.

Estimating the burden of 'weighing less': A systematic review and meta-analysis of low birth-weight in India.

BACKGROUND: The National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS- 3; 2005-06) reports that the prevalence of low birth-weight babies is 22% in India. This old figure is probably an underestimate as this nationwide survey acquired information on birth-weight of only 34% of babies. We aimed to make a fresh estimate of the proportion of low birth-weight babies. METHODS: A systematic search was done through PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Medline, IndMed, Embase, WHO and Biomed Central databases. Studies published from 2004 to 2014 were included. Study quality was assessed using the adapted Mirza and Jenkins checklist. An 'adjustment' of 24% was applied to the published estimates where data were collected through records or through a combination of records and anthropometry. The adjustment was done to account for the heaping of birth-weight data at 2500 g. Metaanalysis using both random and fixed effects model was done to derive an estimate. RESULTS: Nineteen studies with 44 133 subjects were included in the review. The pooled estimate for the prevalence of low birth-weight was 27% (95% CI 24%-30%) and the 'adjusted' pooled prevalence was 31% (95% CI 28%-33%). The prevalence in urban and rural areas was 30% (95% CI 23%- 38%) and 26% (95% CI 22%-30%), respectively. Regionwise estimates revealed that the prevalence at 33% was comparatively higher in eastern regions (95% CI 29%-37%). CONCLUSION: The pooled prevalence of low birth-weight is higher than that reported by NFHS-3. Updated estimates should be used to guide future interventions and policies.

Primary health care teaching to postgraduate public health students, comparison of two models: A natural experiment.

BACKGROUND: Primary health care as an approach forms an integral part of any public health curricula. The knowledge regarding primary health care can be delivered to public health trainee through conventional or the modular teaching models. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to observe whether there was any difference in the summative assessment scores between two different modalities of teaching primary health care to public health trainee at School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. METHODS: The present study was a natural experiment. Students of Masters of Public Health (MPH) and MD (Community Medicine) formed two natural groups. They were taught by modular and conventional methods of teaching respectively. A total of seven MPH students and nine MD students, participated in the study. RESULTS: Overall summative assessment score among MPH students was 63.9 ± 10.0 in comparison to 61.1 ± 10.9 among MD students. The difference in total scores was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We conclude that approaching a complex topic such as primary health care requires a mix of both modular and non-modular teaching to maximize outputs.

Diagnostic agreement between a primary care physician and a teledermatologist for common dermatological conditions in North India.

BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians (PCPs) encounter a large number of patients with dermatological diseases. However, delivering appropriate management is a challenge considering the inadequate dermatology training offered during the undergraduate medical curriculum. Teledermatology is the clinical evaluation of skin lesions by dermatologists and allows patients to be diagnosed and treated from a distant site. It is seen as a potential solution to the shortage of specialists and providing equitable service in remote areas. AIM: The study was aimed at estimating the diagnostic agreement of common dermatological conditions between a PCP and a teledermatologist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with dermatological ailments who attended a primary health care clinic were recruited into the study, examined by the PCP and offered a diagnosis. The clinical images and patients' history were collected and transferred to a dermatologist at a tertiary center who also made a diagnosis. Agreement between diagnosis made by the PCPs and the teledermatologist was measured using kappa (κ) statistics. RESULTS: Overall agreement between the diagnoses made by a PCP and the dermatologist was found to be 56%. Poor κ agreement (<0.4) was seen in the diagnosis of psoriasis and eczema. CONCLUSION: Teledermatology can supplement specialist dermatology service in remote areas. There was poor agreement in the diagnosis of psoriasis, classifying various types of eczematous conditions and fungal infections. Scarce manpower in dermatology at the primary health care level compounded by the burden of skin ailments necessitates training of PCPs in common dermatological conditions.

Effect of preeclampsia on insulin sensitivity.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate whether preeclampsia is associated with exacerbation of insulin resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted over a period of 7 months from November 2011 to May 2012, in a tertiary care hospital attached to a medical college. A total of 14 pregnant women in the third trimester with preeclampsia were recruited for this study and 14 well-matched normotensive women in the third trimester were taken as control. 15 g, 50% dextrose load was given intravenously and blood sampling was carried out for glucose and insulin levels up to 3 h afterward. Minimal model analysis of glucose and insulin levels was performed to arrive at results. RESULTS: No significant changes in mean age, body mass index, gestation, serum lipid and progesterone, cortisol and androgen concentrations were recognized. No significant difference was found between the glucose decay curves and between the glucose clearance rate K, in the two groups (preeclamptic vs. normotensive: 2.1 ± 0.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.3; P = 0.48). Therefore, there was a small but prolonged decrease in the insulin response of women with preeclampsia compared with women in the normotensive group. CONCLUSION: Preeclampsia per se is not a risk factor for development of insulin resistance.