Mycophenolate in idiopathic inflammatory myositis: outcome data of a large South Asian cohort

Clinical Rheumatology - Consensus on treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM), particularly with regard to flares and interstitial lung disease (ILD), does not exist. We studied the...     

The role of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma among endemic population: a meta-analysis of the phase iii randomized trials

Background  

The main objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the clinical benefit of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) compared with radiation alone (RT) in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients in endemic geographic areas.     

Efficacy and safety of intensive statin therapy in the elderly

Numerous epidemiologic and intervention trials, including many studying elderly cohorts, have demonstrated the importance of lipids in primary and secondary preventions of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. More recent studies have demonstrated that more intensive statin therapy that reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels to <70 to 80 mg/dL have resulted in more marked cardiovascular event reduction than less intensive statin treatment. The authors review the efficacy and safety of intensive vs less intensive statin therapy. Specifically, 4 such studies with sufficient data in elderly patients, including 2 trials of patients with stable CHD and 2 with acute coronary syndrome, demonstrating the efficacy and safety of intensive statin therapy with high-dose (80 mg) atorvastatin are reviewed in detail. Although elderly patients may be more susceptible to drug interactions when receiving high doses of statins, the present evidence supports the use of intensive statin therapy in most high-risk elderly patients both with stable CHD and following acute coronary syndrome.     

Effectiveness of anti scorpion venom for red scorpion envenomation

Objective

To study the efficacy of anti-scorpion venom plus prazocin.

Methods

Comparison of clinical features, outcome and duration of stay between children receiving anti-scorpion venom plus prazocin or prazocin alone for management of red scorpion envenomation.

Results

Requirement for dopamine and requirement and duration of dobutamine therapy were significantly less in patients received anti-venom plus prazocin than those had prazocin only. Faster recovery was seen in cases who received antiscorpion venom plus prazocin than prazocin only group.

Conclusion

Anti-scorpion venom plus prazosin was safe and more effective than prazocin alone for scorpion envenomation.     

Large for Gestational Age Births Among South Indian Women: Temporal Trend and Risk Factors from 1996 to 2010

Background/Purpose

Mean birth weight is a good health indicator for any population. In the recent past, there have been many reports in the West indicating that there has been an increase in the proportion of large for gestational age (LGA) babies. The objective is to describe the change in the incidence of LGA babies from 1996 to 2010 in South India and the maternal risk factors.

Methods

A rotational sampling scheme was used, i.e., the 12 months of the year were divided into 4 quarters and a month was from each quarter was selected rotationally. All deliveries for that month were considered. Only deliveries that occurred between 28 and 42 weeks of pregnancy were considered. The association between risk variables was studied using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

There were 35,718 deliveries that occurred during these 15-year-study period in the gestational age 28–42 weeks were registered through the outpatient clinics. The incidence of LGA was 9.4 % that has mostly remained at the same level. The incidence of LGA in mothers with gestational diabetes was 6.7, 3 and 17.6 % in overweight, obese and gestational l diabetes mothers. Overweight, obesity in pregnant women and cesarean section were significant risk factors.

Conclusion

Unlike in Western countries, where the incidence of LGA babies has spiraled upward, has remained nearly at the same level over one and a half decades, in South India. The risk factors for giving birth to LGA babies in South India were similar to other studies.

     

Comparison of a chemiluminescence immunoassay and an enzyme immunoassay for detection of IgM antibodies against measles,mumps, rubella,cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), and human herpes virus (HHV) -1 and -2 infections

PurposeOutbreaks of vaccine-preventable viral diseases have been increasingly reported globally over the past few years. The burden of congenital viral infections, their impact on physical and mental development and the resulting economic loss to the family and the community are also well known. IgM antibody detection has been convenient in the diagnosis of acute viral infections, particularly in settings with limited resources where molecular tests are not feasible.MethodsThis is a comparative study between a chemiluminescence immunoassay (Liaison, DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy) and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Euroimmun, Lubeck, Germany) for the detection of IgM antibody against measles, mumps, rubella, CMV, EBV and HHV-1 and -2 viruses using a total of 345 samples. Results are expressed as agreement using kappa statistics.ResultsIn this study, CLIA is perfectly comparable to ELISA for the detection of IgM antibodies against measles (0.86) and mumps (0.92) with a moderate agreement for rubella (0.52), CMV (0.57), EBV (0.50), and HHV-1 and -2 (0.47) assays. However, a PABAK (prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa) showed improved agreement for rubella (0.64), CMV (0.65), EBV (0.60), and HHV-1 and -2 (0.88) assays.ConclusionsIgM antibody assays (CLIA and ELISA) against measles and mumps virus can be comparably used depending on the laboratory setup, throughput and expertise.     

Latency intervals of Moro response: A valuable neuro-screening tool

Moro response in healthy term newborns were studied to determine latency interval, time taken for optimal response (embracing movement of arms), and total duration of reflex response. Latency interval for onset of response was 0.41–0.49. Time taken for optimal response was 0.910–1.041s. Total duration of Moro response was 2.34–2.59 s. Values were similar for males and females. Optimal response in babies born by cesarean section were significantly delayed than vaginal babies.