The impact of COVID-19 on kidney transplantation and the kidney transplant recipient – One year into the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the landscape of kidney transplantation in the United States and worldwide. In addition to adversely impacting allograft and patient survival in postkidney transplant recipients, the current pandemic has affected all aspects of transplant care, including transplant referrals and listing, organ donation rates, organ procurement and shipping, and waitlist mortality. Critical decisions were made during this period by transplant centers and individual transplant physicians taking into consideration patient safety and resource utilization. As countries have begun administering the COVID vaccines, new and important considerations pertinent to our transplant population have arisen. This comprehensive review focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on kidney transplantation rates, mortality, policy decisions, and the clinical management of transplanted patients infected with COVID-19.     

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma--a case report

Cerebellar liponeurocytomas have been included in the 2000 classification of tumours of the central nervous system, under the heading of glioneuronal tumours. The tumour has two populations of cells- one composed of cells with morphology of neurocytes and the other are lipidised cells which look like mature fat cells. The tumour occurs in adults and has a good prognosis. Less than fifteen cases have been reported in world literature. We report a case of this rare tumour entity in a 32 years old female patient.     

Characteristics of Anemia in Elderly: A Hospital Based Study in South India

Anemia is a common concern in older people and can have significant morbidity and mortality. Because anemia is a sign, not a diagnosis, an evaluation is almost always warranted to identify the underlying cause. The purpose of this study was to study the clinical profile of elderly patients with anemia and to study characteristics of hematological types of anemia in such patients as well as the closest possible etiological profile. Hundred patients above the age of 60 years were included in the study. Clinical profile with laboratory studies of Hemoglobin and diagnostic tests to fix the etiology. Majority of patients had normocytic blood picture. Renal failure was the most common underlying chronic disease. Significant number of patients were on non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which could contribute to the anaemia. 14% of the patients had an underlying malignancy. 73.3% of the patients in the microcytic group had an underlying GI lesion on endoscopy. Identifying anemia as an important aspect of a comprehensive geriatric assessment is absolutely essential further to clinical detection. Confirming the type of anemia is critical to direct the investigation for profiling the etiology since it is well known that the treatment of anemia goes a long way in improving the overall outcome and quality of life.     

Embodied Work: Insider Perspectives on the Work of HIV/AIDS Peer Counselors

Our aim in this study was to explore HIV/AIDS peer counseling from the perspective of women actively engaged in this work within the context of a community-based program in rural areas of the southeastern United States. Based on this research we suggest that the embodied work of HIV/AIDS peer counselors is constructed around their personal identities and experiences. This work involves gaining entry to other HIV-positive women's lives, building relationships, drawing on personal experiences, facing issues of fear and stigma, tailoring peer counseling for diversity, balancing risks and benefits, and terminating relationships. Peer counselors recognize the personal and collective value of their work, which, like much of women's work within the context of family and community, lacks public visibility and acknowledgment. We discuss implications for the training and support of peer-based interventions for HIV and other women's health issues across diverse contexts and settings.     

Home auditory training program (HAP) for cochlear implantees and hearing impaired children using hearing aids—an outcome of a three-year research project

Introduction  Use of cochlear implants has been a turning point in the life of the hearing-impaired children enabling them to participate in the world of sounds. Research shows that even after cochlear implantation auditory training is necessary as it facilitates the development of verbal skills. A number of kits for auditory training are available in the West. The author had an exposure to a number of auditory training kits in the US, as a part of her Fulbright Research Fellowship. In our country, there is a dearth of such material for auditory training. Besides this, India being a multilingual country, it becomes difficult if not impossible to develop language specific auditory programs. Hence, the need for the project proposal which was to develop material in Hindi and Marathi in the form of kit and CD-ROMs for the various levels of auditory training. Methodology  With the help of latest scientific techniques, material in the form of worksheets, audiocassettes and CD-ROMs were developed and field tested for all four levels of auditory training. Children with hearing impairment using hearing aids and cochlear implants were given auditory training using the developed material. Results  t-test which was carried revealed that there is a significant difference between pre and post training performance of children. Conclusions  A systematic approach in the form of a kit comprising of audio cassettes and CD-ROMs is now available in Hindi and Marathi for use at home for professionals and parents of children with hearing impairment.     

Cognitive and psychosocial aspects of caring for elderly patients with diabetes

The population is aging in the United States as well as worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes increases with increasing age. To provide optimal care to older adults with diabetes, unique psychosocial barriers need to be considered by medical providers. Unlike in younger adults, cognitive dysfunction/dementia and depressive mood disorders are common coexisting conditions in older adults with diabetes. This article reviews recent literature on epidemiology and clinical implications of cognitive and psychosocial dysfunctions in older patients with diabetes. This article focuses on cognitive dysfunctions, dementia, depression, and other psychosocial stresses, and their implications in the care of older adults with diabetes.