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A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of oral stimulation on feeding performance among preterm babies in selected NICU. The study was conducted with the purpose of finding out whether the oral stimulation will help to improve the feeding performance and to assess the selected parameters like respiration, weight, and oxygen saturation. A quasi- experimental non-equivalent control group design was used to conduct the study. Total of 40 samples were selected by the non-probability purposive sampling technique. 20 samples were in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. Data was collected by using an observation checklist for assessing the feeding pattern and other parameters like spo2, respiration, and weight. Reliability of the tool was done by inter-rater method and calculated ‘r’ were o.89 and calibration of the weighing machine was done by the biomedical department. Babies who are shifted to breastfeeding were taken as samples. Oral stimulation was given for 5 minutes in the morning and evening followed by breastfeeding. Pre- assessment was done on the first day for both groups. The intervention was carried out for the experimental group for 5 days on the 5th day post assessment was done for both groups. The analysis of feeding performance were done by using frequency and percentage, comparison of the two groups was done by using an unpaired t-test. Result showed that on 5th day the mean value of feeding performance was 11.30 in the experimental group whereas in the control group it was 10.40 with a p-value of 0.031. This shows there is a significant difference in the feeding performance of pre-term babies after oral stimulation. There were no changes observed the parameters of spo2, respiratory rate and weight between both the groups. The research concluded that oral stimulation is effective in improving the feeding skills of preterm babies and it did not have any positive effect on the parameters like spo2 respiration rate and weight.

Background: GeneXpert MTB/RIF is a test for early, rapid diagnosis of tubercular meningitis (TBM). Aim: The aim of this article was to study the clinical profile, radiological features, yield of GeneXpert, neurosurgical interventions, and outcome of TBM in children. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective and prospective observational study. Materials and Methods: Diagnosis was based on the uniform research definition criteria and was staged according to the British Medical Research Council. Mantoux test, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), CSF GeneXpert, and radiological investigations were performed. Results: Of 36 patients, 50% were aged 1–5 years. Fever (100%), headache (82%), altered sensorium (80%), and vomiting (66%) were common features. Twelve (33%) had contact with active case of tuberculosis; 32 received Bacille Calmette Guarin vaccination. Neurological features included severe deterioration in sensorium (Glasgow Coma Scale < 8) (38%), mild and moderate deficit in sensorium (31%), hemiparesis (41%), and involvement of sixth (25%) and seventh (22%) cranial nerves. Cerebral vision impairment (25%), papilledema (25%), and dystonia (22%) were other findings. CSF GeneXpert was positive in 37% (12/33) patients. Hydrocephalus and basal exudates (75%) were noted on neuro-imaging. Surgical intervention was performed in children with hydrocephalus (13/27). Omayya reservoir was placed in seven children, of which five needed conversion to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt; direct VP shunt was carried out in six (6/13). Good outcome was noted in 78% at discharge. Stage III TBM (P = 0.0001), cerebral infarcts (P = 0.0006), and motor deficits (P = 0.03) were associated with poor outcome. Sequelae included learning difficulties with poor scholastic performance (31.5%). Conclusion: GeneXpert has high diagnostic specificity, but negative results do not rule out TBM. CSF GeneXpert provided quick results. Placement of Ommaya reservoir in TBM stage II and III with hydrocephalus was not successful. Hydrocephalus was managed conservatively with success (53%).

A polypoid mucosal lesion in the oral cavity generally signifies a soft tissue pathology that is benign. The aetiology can vary from inflammatory conditions to fibrous tumours. Occasionally a malignant lesion can manifest as a polypoid oral mucosal lesion [1]. We would like to describe a case of a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma, a spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (SpSCC), presenting as a polypoid mucosal lesion. It is important to ascertain a diagnosis based on history and clinical examination, so that vital findings are not missed and speedy treatment can be instituted.

Livestock associated-Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) is a antimicrobial resistant bacteria, which has the potential to be pathogenic in humans and animals. The present study aims at employing systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate LA-MRSA prevalence in data extracted from Indian studies. The prevalence of the LA-MRSA isolates was stratified based on type/source of samples (Clinical/Healthy animal samples) and meta-analysis was done. Database searches yielded 21 articles published during the period 2014-17. The pooled prevalence estimate of LA-MRSA was 10.0% (95% CI: 7.0-13.0%, 2=0.6654; P