A cross-sectional study to assess knowledge, attitude and practice among healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 at a National Institute of North India

Background and Objectives. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are the frontline warriors of the battle against COVID-19 and are at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among HCWs play a vital role in preventing and spreading COVID-19. Hence, the current study aimed to assess KAP among HCWs regarding COVID-19. Methods. This descriptive, cross-sectional study enrolled 171 HCWs of a national institute in North India. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess KAP among HCWs regarding COVID-19. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied to compare and represent the level of association of KAP scores among HCWs. Results. Among HCWs (n=171), 106 (61.98%) were males, and 65 (38.01%) were females. Most (n=76; 44.44%) belonged to the 20-29 age group. The mean±S.D score of HCWs for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 42.76±2.14, 28.91±1.59 and 20.38±1.46, respectively. Excellent knowledge, attitude, and practice score were found in 66.1%, 69.1%, and 97.1% of HCWs, respectively. Knowledge score was maximum in resident doctors (44.09±1.13); however, multi-tasking staff (29.35±1.44), laboratory technicians (29.31±1.21), and ward boys (29.29±1.59) had better attitude scores. Nurses (28.44±1.69) and safaikaramacharis (28.11±1.96) had low attitude scores. The practice score of nurses and multi-tasking staff fared well than resident doctors. Knowledge and attitude scores were statistically associated with the profession and higher level of education. Conclusion. The study highlights that most HCWs have good KAP regarding COVID-19. Continuous dissemination of education on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 is advised among HCWs to improve their knowledge. Hence, it will strengthen the health workforce in the battle against COVID-19

Clinical comparison between femoral transfixation and bioscrew fixation using hamstring tendon graft for ACL reconstruction

Background: One of the popular graft choices for ACL reconstruction have been Hamstrings tendon autograft. There is no consensus on the ideal technique of fixation of hamstrings graft to femoral condyle. Theoretically we hypothesized that transfixation method of hamstrings graft fixation to femoral condyle should be superior to bio-interference screw fixation technique. Hence aim of our study is to compare this two fixation methods of hamstrings autografts clinically.Methods: 50 clinically and radiologically proven ACL deficient fighting soldiers are selected for the study. In group A; 25 patients underwent ACL reconstruction with Bioscrew using aperture technique on femoral side. Other 25 patients in group B underwent ACL reconstruction with transfixation screw using cortico-cancellous fixation technique on femoral side. In both groups quadrupled semitendinosus autograft is utilized. All the patients evaluated for functional outcome at the end of 6 weeks and at 6 months and at the end of 1 year following the procedure. The subjects are evaluated using the modified Lysholm knee score and knee laxity is measured by Rolimeter.Results: At 01 year post op. there was no statistically significant difference in both groups in terms of Manual laity tests,Rollimeter laity measurement and Lysholm knee score.The overall satisfactory result (Excellent + Good) in both the groups at 01 year follow up were 98% by Lysholm score.Conclusions: Transfixation and Bioscrew fixation showed comparable results in manual knee laxity tests, instrumental knee laxity tests using Rolimeter, Lyslohm scores and high patient satisfaction, with almost 96% of patients in both groups returned to their pre-injury levels.

Wnt/B-Catenin signalling during liver metabolism, chronic liver disease and hepatocarcinogenesis

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are increasing in prevalence and their end-stage complications, namely, cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma represent major global challenges. The most common initiators of progressive CLD are viral hepatitis and long-term alcohol abuse as well as steatosis and steatohepatitis. Irrespective of the underlying aetiology, a common feature of CLD is the formation of hepatic ductular reactions, involving the proliferation of liver progenitor cells (LPCs) and their sig­nalling to fibrosis-driving hepatic stellate cells. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been found to regulate development, stemness and differentiation, and alterations in its activity have been associated with tumour development. Recent data highlight the role of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in hepatic metabolism, steatosis and cancer, and suggest targeting of this pathway as a promising molecular strategy to potentially inhibit CLD progression and hepatocarcinogenesis

Wnt/B-Catenin signalling during liver metabolism, chronic liver disease and hepatocarcinogenesis

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are increasing in prevalence and their end-stage complications, namely, cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma represent major global challenges. The most common initiators of progressive CLD are viral hepatitis and long-term alcohol abuse as well as steatosis and steatohepatitis. Irrespective of the underlying aetiology, a common feature of CLD is the formation of hepatic ductular reactions, involving the proliferation of liver progenitor cells (LPCs) and their sig­nalling to fibrosis-driving hepatic stellate cells. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been found to regulate development, stemness and differentiation, and alterations in its activity have been associated with tumour development. Recent data highlight the role of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in hepatic metabolism, steatosis and cancer, and suggest targeting of this pathway as a promising molecular strategy to potentially inhibit CLD progression and hepatocarcinogenesis

Agronomic efficiency and productivity of transplanted kharif rice (Oryza sativa) as influenced by fertilizer briquettes

An experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2022 at the research farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam to evaluate the effect of fertilizer briquettes on growth and productivity of transplanted rice. The field experiment was laid out in RBD comprising of 13 treatments, replicated thrice. Growth of rice, panicles/m2 and yield were subjected to significant variation under different fertilizer management practices. Higher plant height, tillers/ m2, panicles/m2, yield and agronomic efficiency were recorded under FDP, 120% RDN + 100% P and K + ZnSO4 @10 kg/ha + biofertilizer (T12). This might be owing to reduced losses  of nutrients and efficient uptake by plants compared to broadcasted method of fertilizer application where most of the applied fertilizers were susceptible to various losses availing lesser amount of nutrients for crop uptake

Decreasing Trend in Black Carbon Aerosols Over the Indian Region

We examine long-term trends in the near-surface black carbon mass concentration, using multiyear primary data obtained from a dense network (ARFINET) of observatories over the Indian region. We report for the first time the statistically significant decreasing trend in black carbon mass concentration, based on primary data from this region, at an average rate of ~242 ± 53 ng · m �3  · year �1 during the period 2007�2016. This finding contrasts with the generally increasing trend in the columnar aerosol optical depth, reported earlier, and the steadily increasing trend in anthropogenic activities over this region. The roles of different possible mechanisms, including possible changes in the vertical redistribution of aerosols, are discussed. Over the period 2007�2015, a significant though weak, increasing trend is seen in the contribution from aerosols above 1 km to the columnar aerosol optical depth. These observations imply possible long-term climate consequences. ©2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved

MR imaging evaluation of obstructing vaginal malformations with hematocolpos or hematometra in adolescent girls: A cross sectional study

Objective: Vaginal or uterine outlet obstruction leads to hematocolpos or hematometra. Detection of the etiology of this entity is important to guide adequate surgical management and thereby avoid complications and to preserve fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate obstructing vaginal malformations in adolescent girls presenting with hematocolpos or hematometra with MR imaging. Materials and methods: A hospital based prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care centre from September 2015 to October 2016. The study included 17 adolescent females who were evaluated with MRI. Result: Of 17 adolescent female with vaginal or uterine outflow obstructive anomalies with hematocolpos or hematometra, where 6 patients (35.3%) had HWWS, 6 patients (35.3%) had imperforate hymen, 2 patients (11.8%) had transverse vaginal septum, 1 patient each (5.9%) had cervico-vaginal atresia, unicornuate uterus and communicating rudimentary Uterine horn. MRI revealed hematocolpos in 15 patients (88.2%), hematometra in 13 patients (76.5%), endometriotic ovarian cysts in 6 patients (35.3%) and hematosalpnix in 3 patients (17.6%). Conclusion: Early radiological diagnosis of the cause of vaginal or uterine outflow obstruction is important to guide adequate surgical management which if undertaken promptly helps to avoid complications due to reflux from vaginal or uterine outflow obstruction

Thoracoschisis with limb agenesis

A rare case of thoracoschisis, diaphragmatic and supraumbilical abdominal wall defect with right upper limb agenesis in a neonate is reported

Tessier 30 facial cleft

A case of midline cleft of the lower lip with cleft of the mandible and complete duplication of the tongue is reported here. Median cleft of the lower lip, mandible and bifid tongue with ankyloglossia is reported in the literature, but complete duplication of the tongue as part of the Tessier 30 cleft is not yet reported

Absorption characteristics of aerosols over the northwestern region of India: distinct seasonal signatures of biomass burning aerosols and mineral dust

Continuous measurements of aerosol black carbon (BC) mass concentrations made over a period of 3 years from a semi-arid, near-coastal, remote and sparsely inhabited location along with satellite-based data of aerosol absorption index, optical depth and extinction profiles in western India are used to characterize the distinct nature of aerosols near the surface and in the free troposphere and their seasonality. Despite being far remote and sparsely inhabited, significant levels of BC are observed in the ambient during winter (1.45 ± 0.71 μg m−3) attributed to biomass burning aerosols, advected to the site from the north and west; while during summer the concentrations are far reduced (0.23 ± 0.11 μg m−3) and represent the apparent background concentrations. The spectral absorption coefficients suggest the BC during summer be mostly of fossil fuel combustions. The strong convective boundary layer dynamics produces significant diurnal variation during winter and modulates to a lesser extent the seasonal variation. Examination of aerosol (absorption) index from OMI data for the study period showed a seasonal pattern that is almost opposite to that seen at the surface; with high aerosol index in summer, showing a significant difference between the surface and columnar aerosol types in summer. MISR and MODIS-derived columnar AOD follow the OMI pattern. Analysis of the vertical profiles of aerosol extinction and volume depolarization ratio (VDR), derived from CALIPSO data indicates the presence of strong dust layers with VDR ∼ 0.3 in the altitude region 4–6 km, contributing to the high aerosol index in the OMI data, while the surface measurements show absorptive properties representing fossil fuel BC aerosols