Multicentric validation of the PathoDetect™ MTB RIF & INH assay for simultaneous detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, & drug resistance to rifampicin & isoniazid in presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis & drug-resistant TB patients.

Background & objectives Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health concern, with India accounting for 26 per cent of the global burden. Despite advances, access to rapid molecular diagnostics is limited, and the assays currently used in National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) do not detect isoniazid (INH) resistance upfront. PathoDetect™ MTB RIF & INH is an indigenous closed-system assay that simultaneously detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and INH.

Glycemic, lipid, anthropometric and body composition responses to two Mango varieties versus white bread in people with type 2 diabetes: an 8-week randomised controlled trial.

Unlabelled: Limited scientific evidence exists regarding the impact of mangoes on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of 8 weeks consumption of 250 gram/day of two popular Indian mango varieties ( and ) compared to bread intake on glycemia, anthropometry and lipids in individuals with T2D. The study enrolled 35 participants with T2D, dividing them into three groups: mango ( = 10), mango ( = 10), and bread as controls ( = 15), monitoring glycemic parameters, insulin sensitivity, anthropometric measurements (including 7 skinfolds), body composition measurement and lipid profile.

Comparison of split bolus dual energy CT and standard multiphase CT in assessing vascular invasion in patients with biliary malignancies: a randomized study.

Purpose: To compare the image quality, definition of vascular invasion and radiation dose of split bolus dual energy CT (DECT) with standard multiphase CT in biliary malignancies.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study performed from December 2020 to November 2022 included 88 patients of biliary malignancies randomized into two groups and scanned on rapid-switching dual energy CT scanner. Group 1 (n = 43, mean age: 54.

Sleep Disturbances in Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk of sleep disturbances, an often, neglected aspect of holistic health. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to identify any risk factors for the same.

Methods: Survivors of ALL aged 6-18 years, who had completed their treatment, at least two or more years ago, were enrolled.

Impact of an Integrated Intervention Package During Preconception, Pregnancy, and Early Childhood on the Gut Microbiome at Six Months of Age: Findings from the Women and Infants Integrated Growth Study (WINGS) Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The infant gut microbiome is essential for healthy growth and development. However, limited research has explored how interventions targeting maternal and infant health, nutrition, and psychosocial conditions during preconception, pregnancy, and early childhood impact microbiome development. To address this research gap and better understand the potential impact of such interventions, this study was designed to evaluate their effects on the infant gut microbiome.

Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability of Ketogenic Diet Versus Adrenocorticotropic Hormone in Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Ketogenic diet (KD) is efficacious in adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-refractory infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) with lesser side effects. Upfront treatment with KD in IESS is least explored. This study aims to compare the efficacy of upfront treatment with KD compared with ACTH in IESS.

Diagnostic accuracy of real-time PCR assay 'Quantiplus® MTB FAST' for detection of adult pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB): A multi-centric study.

Background & objectives The global target set by the United Nations (UN) high-level meeting on Tuberculosis (TB) for coverage of rapid molecular tests is 100 per cent by 2027. Rapid, affordable molecular tests for early detection of TB are the need of the hour. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an open real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay, Quantiplus®, with reference to Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) liquid culture.

Efficacy and Safety of Pegylated Filgrastim as Primary Prophylaxis Following Pediatric Dose-intensive Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: Large trials and meta-analyses in adults suggest a similar efficacy and safety of a single dose of peg-filgrastim compared with daily filgrastim in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. However, there is no large prospective data in the pediatric population. This trial was designed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of peg-filgrastim in children.

Comparison of efficacy of low glycemic index treatment and modified Atkins diet among children with drug-resistant epilepsy: A randomized non-inferiority trial.

Objective: The ketogenic diet has been the mainstay of treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). No comparative trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of the two less strict ketogenic diets: modified Atkins diet (MAD) and low glycemic index treatment (LGIT). This study assesses the non-inferiority of LGIT compared with MAD.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare the Effectiveness of Smart Dynamic Fabric Actuator with Exercises in Chronic Musculoskeletal Leg Pain Associated with Prolonged Standing in a Hospital Setting.

Background: There are adverse effects on the health outcomes of workers whose occupation involves prolonged standing, such as lower back pain, leg pain, cardiovascular diseases, fatigue, discomfort, and pregnancy-related health outcomes. The effectiveness of massage therapy as an intervention for managing leg pain associated with prolonged standing needs to be addressed.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the smart dynamic fabric actuator's effectiveness in treating chronic musculoskeletal leg pain in persons with occupations involving prolonged standing.

Homoeopathy vs. conventional primary care in children during the first 24 months of life-a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Unlabelled: To compare the difference between primary homoeopathic and conventional paediatric care in treating acute illnesses in children in their first 24 months of life. One hundred eight Indian singleton newborns delivered at 37 to 42 weeks gestation were randomised at birth (1:1) to receive either homoeopathic or conventional primary care for any acute illness over the study period. In the homoeopathic group, conventional medical treatment was added when medically indicated.

Role of central endpoint adjudication and challenges in trials on neonatal sepsis-a case of ProSPoNS trial.

Despite progress in reducing the infant mortality in India, the neonatal mortality decline has been slower, necessitating concerted efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal-3. A promising strategy aiming to prevent neonatal sepsis in high-risk, vulnerable, low birth weight neonates through an innovative intervention includes probiotic supplementation. This article communicates the decision by the ProSPoNS trial investigators to establish a Central Endpoint Adjudication Committee (CEAC) as an addendum to the protocol published in Trials in 2021 for the purpose of clarifying the primary outcome.

Profile of patients referred for lung transplant and their transplant-free survival.

Introduction: Lung transplant (LTx) is a potential treatment option for all patients with chronic, end-stage respiratory disease, who are refractory to optimal medical therapy or where no medical therapy exists. In India, LTx is still in its evolving stages and published literature is sparse. The current study was carried out to study the selection criteria for lung transplant and to evaluate the clinical and socio-economic profile of patients referred for the same at a tertiary health care facility.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards Ayurveda among patients attending cardiology and neurology clinics at a tertiary care institute in India.

Background Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine, has been practised in India since ages. We evaluated the overall awareness regarding Ayurveda among patients attending two specialty clinics at a tertiary care institute. Methods We did a cross-sectional study on patients attending the cardiology and neurology clinics at a tertiary care hospital in India.

Evaluation of molecular diagnostic test for detection of adult pulmonary tuberculosis: A generic protocol.

Background Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be the second most-leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent as of 2022 after COVID-19. Many affordable new molecular diagnostic tools are being developed for early and more accurate diagnosis, especially for low-resource settings in low- and middle-income countries. In this context, there is a need to develop a standardized protocol for validation of new diagnostic tools.

Dietary pattern associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in non-diabetic adult patients: A case control study.

Background: Dietary intake is an important factor in the development and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) however, optimal food group composition remains unclear. Data on detailed food group intake of NAFLD patients from India is scarce.

Methods & Materials: In this study with 320 participants (160 NAFLD cases and 160 controls), dietary habits were assessed using a 24-h dietary recall for two days and a validated 142-item food frequency questionnaire over the past year.

Correlation between Transcranial Ultrasound and CT Head to Detect Clinically Significant Conditions in Post-craniectomy Patients Performed by Emergency Physician: A Pilot Study.

Background: The main objective is to detect clinically significant conditions by transcranial ultrasound (TCS) in post-decompressive craniectomy (DC) patients who come to the emergency department.

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study. We studied 40 post-DC patients.

Efficacy of daily versus intermittent low glycemic index therapy diet in children with drug-resistant epilepsy: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: The predominant reason for the discontinuation of low glycemic index therapy (LGIT) in children with epilepsy is the dietary restrictions imposed therein. This trial intended to compare the efficacy of daily and intermittent LGIT in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).

Methods: This study was performed between February 2018 and January 2019 to compare the efficacy of daily and intermittent LGIT in children aged 1-15 years with DRE following 24 weeks of dietary therapy.

Incident Breakthrough Seizures, Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters in a Cohort of Children and Adolescents With Neurocysticercosis: A Longitudinal Observational Study.

Background: The current study estimated incident breakthrough seizures, serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in five- to 18-year-olds with neurocysticercosis (NCC) from colloidal or vesicular through calcified stages over at least 24 months' follow-up.

Methods: Single, colloidal, or vesicular parenchymal NCC cases were treated with albendazole and steroids and followed at a tertiary care north Indian hospital. Serum MMP-9 was estimated in colloidal or vesicular treatment-naive state and in a subset of calcified cases at six-month follow-up.

Safety of Procalcitonin Guided Early Discontinuation of Antibiotic Therapy among Children Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy and Having Low-Risk Febrile Neutropenia: A Randomized Feasibility Trial (ProFenC Study).

In low-risk febrile neutropenia (LR-FN), the safety of early discontinuation of empiric antibiotics without marrow recovery is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of procalcitonin (PCT) guided early discontinuation of antibiotics in LR-FN. In this trial, children with LR-FN with an afebrile period of at least 24 h, sterile blood culture, and negative/normalized PCT were randomized at 72 h of starting antibiotics into two groups: intervention arm and standard arm.