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QT interval in an electrocardiogram (ECG) is interpreted after correction (QTc) by various formulas. This study aimed to compare the QTcs calculated by nine formulas. Sinus rhythm ECG reports of 1140 anonymous subjects showed uncorrected QT interval of 388.49 ± 42.74 ms. The QTc calculated by Bazett (443.96 ± 57.58 ms), Fridericia (424.37 ± 50.1 ms), Dmitrienko (433.59 ± 53.37 ms), Framingham (422.59 ± 45.55 ms), Schlamowitz (433.89 ± 48.05 ms), Hodges (421.6 ± 46.4 ms), Ashman (434.33 ± 54.05 ms), Rautaharju (427.75 ± 47.4 ms), and Sarma (429.22 ± 48.67 ms) showed a significant difference F (8, 10251) = 22.78 p

Background: COVID-19 has created fear, misconception, and apprehensions among not just the public but also the present and future health-care providers. The COVID-19 pandemic has passed two waves, and currently, the third wave is waning. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 among the health-care providers and medical students of India. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted with medical students, practicing doctors, nurses, ward attendants, and other health-care workers working all over India. The questionnaire used for the study was developed using the three-step modified Delphi method. It was prevalidated and standardized by conducting a pilot study. Then, the survey questionnaire was circulated via Google Forms. The collected responses were tested statistically by Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Chi-square, and Spearman's rank correlation. Results: A total of 2211 (1137 medical students, 840 doctors, 126 nurses, 12 ward attendants, and 96 other health-care workers) respondents participated in the study. The mean score for knowledge was 5.93 ± 1.21, for attitude was 5.20 ± 0.84, and for practice was 2·38 ± 0·896. We found a significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and practices, and attitude and practices. Conclusion: There is an average to a good level of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 among the medical students and health-care providers in India in the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The positive correlation affirms that better knowledge can lead to a positive attitude. This ultimately helps build appropriate behavior.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created fear, misconceptions, and apprehensions among the public including the youth of the society. We evaluated and compared the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19 among undergraduate medical and engineering students of India. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was carried out on Indian undergraduate medical and engineering students in September 2020. A prevalidated and pretested questionnaire was used in this study. The questionnaire had eight items for knowledge, six items for attitudes, and four for practices. A snowball sampling method was used to collect data. Results: A total of 1757 (1137 [64.71%] medical, 620 [35.29%] engineering) Indian students participated in the study. The overall scores of knowledge were 5.77 ± 1.2, the attitude was 5.06 ± 0.83, and practices were 2.32 ± 0.93 (analysis of variance P < 0.0001). There was no gender difference in knowledge, attitude, or practice. The medical student scored higher in knowledge (P < 0.0001) and attitude (P < 0.0001) compared to engineering students. Medical students showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.13, P < 0.001) of attitude with semester of study. Engineering students showed significant positive correlation of knowledge (r = 0.12, P = 0.002) and practice (r = 0.11, P = 0.008) with semester of study. Conclusion: Indian medical and engineering students had a good level of knowledge and positive attitudes towards COVID-19. Although medical students scored higher in knowledge and attitude, the practice showed no difference. The practice scores were the lowest among the three parameters. This reaffirms the need for more strategic planning to ensure good practices among students of both the major sectors of science.

Background: Organophosphorus (OP) compound poisoning is a medico-toxic emergency that results in multiorgan failure. The primary mechanism of action is by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, leading to disruption in processes of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and microsomal metabolism resulting in liver toxicity. The present study was conducted to explore the prognostic value of serum cholinesterase in predicting severity of organophosphorous compound poisoning and the need for ventilatory support; and to understand the role of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and bilirubin in assessing the severity of acute organophosphate poisoning. Methodology: Hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted among OP poisoning cases at a tertiary hospital in Hubli. Clinical examination was done during the initial resuscitation and treatment of patients. Three milliliter of plain blood was collected on admission before administration of atropine and plasma cholinesterase level, and other biochemical parameters were estimated. Results: Sixty-five percent of poisoning cases had >50% of cholinesterase activity with normal grade poisoning. Moderate and severe grade poisonings were present among 3% and 5% of poisoning cases, respectively. Patients with cholinesterase level activity of ≤50% had significantly higher proportions of respiratory failure (77%) and fatal outcomes (33%). Median levels of AST (Q2: 73.2 IU/mL) and ALT were significantly higher (Q2: 22.7 IU/L) among severe grade poisoning (Che:

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a state of inflammatory condition carrying several risk factors that lead to insulin resistance (IR), atherosclerotic events, and related complications. Serum ferritin is an acute phase reactant. As an acute phase, serum ferritin increases inflammatory condition which can contribute for IR and MetS. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a pro-inflammatory marker, which participates in various pathophysiological processes such as oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation which are important in the pathogenesis of IR and MetS. This study was undertaken to understand the association of serum ferritin and GGT levels with IR and MetS. Methodology: A comparative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted including 50 MetS cases and 50 matched healthy controls. Clinical examination was followed by laboratory investigations of GGT, ferritin, insulin, lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and IR were calculated by homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR). Results: In the MetS patients' group, IR (HOMA-IR) was found to have significant positive correlations with serum GGT, ferritin, insulin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP). It was also found that body mass index, fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, and HbA1c were significant risk factors of IR. Conclusion: The present study suggests that fasting insulin, HsCRP, GGT, and ferritin levels were found to be significantly associated with HOMA-IR. GGT and ferritin play a significant role toward the increasing oxidant stress and inflammatory load which predisposes to MetS. Hence, these parameters could be used as markers for the early diagnosis of MetS.

Background: Elevated levels of uric acid are the end product of purine metabolism. Uric acid levels are regulated by xanthine oxidase enzyme. Increased xanthine oxidase activity results in the generation of free radicals. Hence, elevated uric acid levels are the manifestations of oxidative stress. Meanwhile, raised uric acid can trigger release of inflammatory mediatory and create the inflammatory state. Thus, inflammation and oxidative stress are the important events in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to find the association of uric acid levels with metabolic syndrome and the individual components of metabolic syndrome. Methodology: A comparative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 metabolic syndrome cases and 50 controls. Clinical examination followed by laboratory investigations for the estimation of serum uric acid, fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), fasting insulin, and lipid profile. Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated by homeostatic model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR). Results: In the metabolic syndrome patients' group, serum uric acid was found to have strong positive correlation with body mass index, blood pressure, glycemic indices, IR, lipid profile, and Hs-CRP. It was found that there was 2.5 times higher risk of development of metabolic syndrome with every unit increase in serum uric acid levels and this association was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Uric acid can be used as the marker for the early identification of metabolic syndrome or as a prognostic marker in the diagnosed cases of metabolic syndrome.

Background: Increased serum uric acid (SUA) level is considered a risk factor for kidney diseases in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Deranged lipid profile in T2DM is an overall risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Aim: This study aimed to find the correlation between SUA and serum lipid profile in T2DM patients who had serum creatinine levels within normal limits. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in eastern India. Serum creatinine level was measured first. Then, patients with serum creatinine levels within normal limits were recruited as the final sample. Anthropometric measurements were conducted by an experienced clinician. A 12-h fasting venous blood sample was used to measure serum urea, lipids, sugar, and glycated hemoglobin. Results: A total of 176 (male = 104 [59.1%], female = 72 [40.9%]) T2DM patients with a median age of 46 (Q1–Q3 = 40–55) years participated in the study. There was no gender difference in fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.57), SUA (P = 0.42), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (P = 0.17). Females showed higher total cholesterol (TC) (P < 0.0001), triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.002), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.0002), and very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) (P = 0.01). SUA showed significant positive correlation with TG (rs = 0.65, P < 0.0001) and VLDL-C (rs = 0.63, P < 0.0001) and significant negative correlation with HDL-C (rs = −0.35, P < 0.0001) and FBS (rs = −0.45, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: A higher level of SUA, an indicator for kidney disease in T2DM patients, may be associated with a higher TG and VLDL-C and lower FBS and HDL-C. Thus, SUA should be monitored along with lipid profile for early detection of the risk of kidney diseases.

BACKGROUND: Efficient leaders from the medical fraternity may understand healthcare in depth. Empathy is important for patient care, job satisfaction, and the psychological well-being of doctors. Empathic leadership is concerned with an interest in the people around them. This study aimed to observe the perceived leadership quality and empathy among Indian medical undergraduate students, find any correlation between them, and assess age, sex, and semester of study as predictor variables for leadership and empathy.MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted on Google Forms with undergraduate medical students in India with a convenient snowball sample. The Abbreviated Self Leadership Quality (ASQL) was used to find the leadership quality and the eight-item Empathy Quotient (EQ-8) to find the empathy. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated between ASQL and EQ-8 score. Age, sex, and semester were used as predictor variables in regression analysis with leadership and empathy as dependent variables.RESULT: A total of 439 (50.8% male, 49.2% female) Indian undergraduate students participated in the study. Males showed higher leadership qualities. There was no gender difference in empathy. Leadership was positively correlated (rs =0.13, P = .006) with empathy in the overall sample. The age (P = .001), sex (P < .0001), and semester of study (P < .0001) successfully predicts leadership (F = 57.167, P < .0001). Although age, sex, and semester combined successfully predict empathy (F = 5.31, P = .001), individually, only a semester of study (P = .009) significantly contributes to the prediction.CONCLUSION: Male and female medical students show a similar level of empathy but male shows higher leadership quality. Leadership and empathy are positively correlated; hence, students with higher leadership quality would show higher empathy and vice versa. The age, sex, and semester of study are determinants of leadership whereas semester of study is the determinant of empathy.

We are reporting a case of the safe removal of the iron intraocular foreign body embedded on the iris with the use of forceps. Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20. Cornea showed self-sealed entry site with no other ocular injury. With such good vision, there is a definite challenge to maintain vision and avoid subsequent serious complications. The foreign body was successfully removed via limbal route with use of forceps. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 with very minimal surgical damage.

Background: Organophosphorus (OP) compound poisoning is a medico-toxic emergency that results in multiorgan failure. The primary mechanism of action is by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, leading to disruption in processes of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and microsomal metabolism resulting in liver toxicity. The present study was conducted to explore the prognostic value of serum cholinesterase in predicting severity of organophosphorous compound poisoning and the need for ventilatory support; and to understand the role of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and bilirubin in assessing the severity of acute organophosphate poisoning. Methodology: Hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted among OP poisoning cases at a tertiary hospital in Hubli. Clinical examination was done during the initial resuscitation and treatment of patients. Three milliliter of plain blood was collected on admission before administration of atropine and plasma cholinesterase level, and other biochemical parameters were estimated. Results: Sixty-five percent of poisoning cases had >50% of cholinesterase activity with normal grade poisoning. Moderate and severe grade poisonings were present among 3% and 5% of poisoning cases, respectively. Patients with cholinesterase level activity of ≤50% had significantly higher proportions of respiratory failure (77%) and fatal outcomes (33%). Median levels of AST (Q2: 73.2 IU/mL) and ALT were significantly higher (Q2: 22.7 IU/L) among severe grade poisoning (Che: <10%) compared to other grades of poisoning. Conclusion: The assessment of cholinesterase level activity in OP poisoning would be a useful guide to the physician for planning of intensive care, duration of hospital stay, and clinical prognosis. Serum AST and ALT levels can also contribute as supportive biomarkers to assess the severity, chances of respiratory failure, and clinical outcomes of OP poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a state of inflammatory condition carrying several risk factors that lead to insulin resistance (IR), atherosclerotic events, and related complications. Serum ferritin is an acute phase reactant. As an acute phase, serum ferritin increases inflammatory condition which can contribute for IR and MetS. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a pro-inflammatory marker, which participates in various pathophysiological processes such as oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation which are important in the pathogenesis of IR and MetS. This study was undertaken to understand the association of serum ferritin and GGT levels with IR and MetS. Methodology: A comparative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted including 50 MetS cases and 50 matched healthy controls. Clinical examination was followed by laboratory investigations of GGT, ferritin, insulin, lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and IR were calculated by homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR). Results: In the MetS patients' group, IR (HOMA-IR) was found to have significant positive correlations with serum GGT, ferritin, insulin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP). It was also found that body mass index, fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, and HbA1c were significant risk factors of IR. Conclusion: The present study suggests that fasting insulin, HsCRP, GGT, and ferritin levels were found to be significantly associated with HOMA-IR. GGT and ferritin play a significant role toward the increasing oxidant stress and inflammatory load which predisposes to MetS. Hence, these parameters could be used as markers for the early diagnosis of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Elevated levels of uric acid are the end product of purine metabolism. Uric acid levels are regulated by xanthine oxidase enzyme. Increased xanthine oxidase activity results in the generation of free radicals. Hence, elevated uric acid levels are the manifestations of oxidative stress. Meanwhile, raised uric acid can trigger release of inflammatory mediatory and create the inflammatory state. Thus, inflammation and oxidative stress are the important events in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to find the association of uric acid levels with metabolic syndrome and the individual components of metabolic syndrome. Methodology: A comparative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 metabolic syndrome cases and 50 controls. Clinical examination followed by laboratory investigations for the estimation of serum uric acid, fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), fasting insulin, and lipid profile. Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated by homeostatic model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR). Results: In the metabolic syndrome patients' group, serum uric acid was found to have strong positive correlation with body mass index, blood pressure, glycemic indices, IR, lipid profile, and Hs-CRP. It was found that there was 2.5 times higher risk of development of metabolic syndrome with every unit increase in serum uric acid levels and this association was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Uric acid can be used as the marker for the early identification of metabolic syndrome or as a prognostic marker in the diagnosed cases of metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease reported in Wuhan, China in 2019 for the first time and resulted in widespread infection and mortality, and was declared as a pandemic. The disease has affected large population globally including the antenatal females. Aim: The present study was aimed to assess the levels of worry, depression, stress, and anxiety in antenatal females during COVID-19 era and comparison was done with the pre COVID levels and the associations were assessed between demographic data of antenatal females and BMWS (Brief Measure of Worry Severity), PSS (Perceived Stress Scale), GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), HADS-A (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale), and HADS-D scores. Methods: Study assessed 202 antenatal females reported during COVID-19 era. The 4 questionnaires assessed the females including BMWS, PSS, GAD-7, HADS-A and D. Results: A significant increase in worry, stress, depression, and anxiety was seen in antenatal females during COVID-19 compared to the females prior to COVID-19 levels of these parameters. The results showed a significant association of panic disorder to BMWS, PSS, and HADS scores. A significant association was seen in HADS scores and pregnancy complications, health problems with BMWS and PSS, and BMWS, GAD-7, and HADS with worry, stress, depression, and anxiety to BMWS, GAD-7, and HADS scores in antenatal females during CIVID-19. Conclusion: The study concludes a need for prior attention to psychology in antenatal females during COVID-19. Adequate management can result in worldwide changes in interventions and social experience are vital to assessed changes in mental health of antenatal females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased serum uric acid (SUA) level is considered a risk factor for kidney diseases in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Deranged lipid profile in T2DM is an overall risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Aim: This study aimed to find the correlation between SUA and serum lipid profile in T2DM patients who had serum creatinine levels within normal limits. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in eastern India. Serum creatinine level was measured first. Then, patients with serum creatinine levels within normal limits were recruited as the final sample. Anthropometric measurements were conducted by an experienced clinician. A 12-h fasting venous blood sample was used to measure serum urea, lipids, sugar, and glycated hemoglobin. Results: A total of 176 (male = 104 [59.1%], female = 72 [40.9%]) T2DM patients with a median age of 46 (Q1–Q3 = 40–55) years participated in the study. There was no gender difference in fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.57), SUA (P = 0.42), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (P = 0.17). Females showed higher total cholesterol (TC) (P < 0.0001), triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.002), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.0002), and very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) (P = 0.01). SUA showed significant positive correlation with TG (rs = 0.65, P < 0.0001) and VLDL-C (rs = 0.63, P < 0.0001) and significant negative correlation with HDL-C (rs = −0.35, P < 0.0001) and FBS (rs = −0.45, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: A higher level of SUA, an indicator for kidney disease in T2DM patients, may be associated with a higher TG and VLDL-C and lower FBS and HDL-C. Thus, SUA should be monitored along with lipid profile for early detection of the risk of kidney diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This is a study conducted in children with developmental delay, to describe the prevalence of various ocular abnormalities in children with developmental delay. Materials and methods :Children under 12 years with developmental delay attending the child development clinic and referred to department of ophthalmology for eye examination were studied for the presence of ocular manifestations by undergoing a complete ophthalmic examination and the prevalence of different conditions was statistically analysed. Results :Children with developmental delay were studied over a period of 12 months and ocular manifestations were seen in 83.6% of cases. Amongst the various ocular manifestations, refractive error was found to be the most common finding (59.7%). The second common diagnosis was optic atrophy (9.7%) followed by strabismus (8.69%), cortical visual impairment ( 4.3%) and ptosis (1.08%). Conclusion :Visual handicap plays a significant role in overall disability of developmental delay children. Hence an early ophthalmologic screening and intervention in these children can help to substantially improve the developmental and academic achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]