Innovative Urinals with Proteinuria Detection: A Potential Screening Tool for Diabetic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a considerable health challenge, particularly in populations with high-risk factorssuch as diabetes and hypertension. This article proposes a novel and cost-effective approach to address this concern byintegrating proteinuria detection technology into urinals. We suggest the installation of these innovative ‘smart’ urinals inhomes of individuals with diabetes, offering a convenient and proactive means of monitoring kidney health. Furthermore,the deployment of such ‘smart’ urinals in public places could serve as accessible screening facilities, enabling early detectionof CKD in a broader population. The potential cost-benefit ratio of this approach is highlighted, emphasizing the long-termeconomic benefits associated with early intervention. We argue that the proposed technology has the potential to revolutionizeCKD screening, providing a valuable tool for individuals at risk and contributing to the global effort to mitigate the impactof CKD on public health. Further research and pilot programs are warranted to explore the feasibility and effectiveness ofthis innovative screening strateg

Consensus on Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation and Utilization of NOACs in the Real-World Setting in India

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia. Prevention of stroke and systemic thromboembolism remainsthe cornerstone of the management of AF. Even today, there are unresolved knowledge gaps in AF pathophysiology, screeningand therapeutic strategies and stroke prevention. The modified DELPHI method was used to develop the best practicerecommendations for the management of AF in a real-world setting with the participation of 500 cardiologists across India.The experts concurred that the decision to initiate antithrombotic treatment in patients with transient AF could be based onthe duration of transient AF, the co-existence of the risk factor for stroke and echocardiographic abnormalities impact thedecision. The decision to initiate anticoagulant therapy in device-detected atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) can be decidedbased on the duration of AHRE, the burden of AHRE and the individual’s risk of stroke and thromboembolism. The benefitof early anticoagulation should be balanced with the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), especially in elderly patientsand in severe strokes. Apixaban is the preferred drug in patients with concomitant ischemic heart disease (IHD), patientswith a history of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, patients with underlying malignancy, elderly patients with AF, patients withcomorbid diseases and patients with hepatic disease or renal disease. Apixaban was considered to be an affordable noveloral anticoagulant (NOAC) for Indian patients for primary and secondary stroke prophylaxis in AF patient

A Review of Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis: Focus on Diagnosis, Clinical Presentation, Management and Outcomes

Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) affects around 38.5 lakh patients in India. It is diagnosed using clinical and radiologicalapproaches. Polymicrobial etiology, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and peripheral neuropathy are commonly observed. Ahigh degree of clinical vigil is required to avoid underestimation of the extent of damage due to speed and spread of infectionand prevent chances of lower extremity amputation. ‘Time is Tissue’ (time taken to access multidisciplinary care) aptlyrepresents one of the critical factors affecting outcomes, along with anatomical location and presence of gangrenous tissues.Traditionally, DFO treatment is the most complex and controversial aspect of managing diabetic foot infections (DFIs). Thetherapeutic paradigm has evolved from high-level surgical resection of all necrotic and infected bone to the more refined andindividualized surgical interventions along with appropriate antibiotics and topical antimicrobials. It is necessary to have asurgeon available with diabetic foot expertise. The surgical outcome is facilitated with strict off-loading, wound management,agitation (freshening and scrapping of wound edges), biofilm disruption and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) toaccelerate healing. Formal protocol-driven treatment can be provided by a multidisciplinary team involving surgical, medicaland podiatric specialties to reduce hospital stay and the need for repeat debridement.This review aims to present a completeoverview of the diagnosis, clinical presentation, management and outcomes of DFO according to scientific recommendationsand our experience, along with few illustrative case reports

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Clinical Evaluation of an Ayurvedic Preparation “Sangfer” for the Treatment of Anemia in Pregnant Women: An Open-labeled Clinical Study

Background: Iron deficiency during pregnancy is one of the primary causes of anemia in infants and young children. Ithas a negative impact on maternal and fetal health throughout pregnancy with higher likelihood of adverse maternal andfetal outcomes. Maternal iron supplementation is a critical tool to address the global problem of iron deficiency and preventits negative consequences. Method: An open-label non-comparative prospective clinical trial was carried out to evaluatethe effectiveness of “Sangfer” liquid in 16 pregnant women with anemia. “Sangfer” is a polyherbal Ayurvedic proprietarymedication containing elemental iron and zinc and four medicinal herbs viz. Withania somnifera, Emblica officinalis, Asparagusracemosus and Pueraria tuberosa. The aim of the study was to examine its efficacy and safety in treating anemia in pregnantwomen. The dose administered was 10 mL twice daily after food for 12 weeks (84 days). Patients were evaluated at screening(Visit 1 at Day 0), baseline (Visit 2 at Day 1) and during follow-ups (Visit 3 at Day 28, Visit 4 at Day 56 and Visit 5 atDay 84). Results: There was a significant increase in mean hemoglobin levels from 8.08% at Day 1 to 11.19% at the finalvisit at Day 84. The anemia sign and symptom scores also significantly reduced from Day 1 to different follow-up visits.The mean Physician Global Assessment (PGA) score was found to reduce from 1.0 at Day 1 to 0.0 at the final follow-upvisit. Conclusion: “Sangfer” is highly effective for the treatment of anemia during pregnancy. No adverse effects includingserious adverse effects were observed during the study period

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Study of Resilience in Female College Adolescents and Young Adults: Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough People Do

This study is part of a multicentric youth project conducted by Association of Adolescent and Child Care in India (AACCI).We examined resilience and its association with demographic variables like age, sibling status, academic course, engagementin extracurricular activities, perceived internet/social media usage and dependence, substance use and perception of controlover one’s life. We used a cross-sectional design with a sample of 17- to 21-year-old female college students from Delhi. Wefound that students who perceived control over their lives had high total scores on resilience measures. Students who usedsocial media had higher total and relational resilience than those who did not use social media. Students who did notuse social media had higher individual resilience. Those who did not see themselves as dependent on social media hadhigher total resilience and relational resilience. Those who did not see themselves as dependent on the internet had higherrelational resilience. There were no significant relationships between resilience and the other demographic variables. Resultsfrom the current study shed light on factors contributing to resilience among adolescents. We can use these findings todevelop training programs that promote adolescent well-bein