Red Cell Distribution Width and Ratio of Red Cell Distribution Width-to-Total Serum Calcium as Predictors of Outcome of Acute Pancreatitis.

Background: Current severity assessment scores of acute pancreatitis (AP) include multiple variables, the results of which are available only after 48 h of admission. Red cell distribution width (RDW) and total serum calcium (TSC) are simple routine parameters related to inflammatory status and results of which are readily available.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate RDW and RDW: TSC within 24 h of hospital admission as predictors of outcome (severity and mortality) and intervention (medical/percutaneous drainage/surgical) required by patients of AP.

Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score in Acute Appendicitis: A Study at a Tertiary Care Center in North India.

Introduction: Appendicitis is a common cause of acute abdominal pain. The diagnosis is eminently clinical and the cause is surgically correctable. However, a decision of surgery based on the clinical presentation only has a 15%-30% chance of the removal of a normal appendix.

Individual donor-nucleic acid testing for human immunodeficiency virus-1, hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus and its role in blood safety.

Background: Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) are one of the biggest threats to blood transfusion safety. Nucleic acid testing (NAT) in blood donor screening has been implemented in many countries to reduce the risk of TTIs. NAT shortens this window period, thereby offering blood centers a much higher sensitivity for detecting viral infections.

Acute transfusion reactions encountered in patients at a tertiary care centre in Punjab.

Background: Blood transfusion is a life-saving procedure, which can occasionally be unsafe and result in a spectrum of adverse events. We aimed to determine the characteristics and type of acute transfusion reactions occurring in patients at a tertiary care centre.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab.

Acute Transfusion Reactions (ATRs) in Intensive Care Unit (ICU): A Retrospective Study.

Background: Blood transfusion is a frequent and integral part of critical care. Although life saving, it can occasionally be unsafe and result in a spectrum of adverse events. Acute transfusion reactions (ATRs) are probably under diagnosed in critically ill patients due to confusion of the symptoms with the underlying disease.

Oro-facial granulomatosis--a case report.

Oro-facial granulomatosis includes a group of disorders which present as a chronic, non-ceasating granulomatous lesion involving the perioral tissues of face and oral mucosa. This condition was first referred by Mart in 1859, Hubschmann in 1894 and Luscher in 1949; later, Wiesenfeld in 1985 introduced the term "Oro-facial Granulomatosis" (OFG) which is characterized by persistent or recurrent soft tissue enlargement and oral ulceration. Hence, it is important to establish the diagnosis accurately because this condition sometimes is a manifestation of Crohn's disease or Sarcoidosis.