Comparative efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid injections in the management of knee osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis management includes a myriad of treatment modalities. This study compared the effects of corticosteroid and Hylan G-F 20 injections on knee osteoarthritis outcomes. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either corticosteroid or Hylan G-F 20 injections. Outcome measures included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, knee society rating system scores, and visual analog scale scores, collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical parameters were comparable between both groups. The corticosteroid group demonstrated a significant decrease in the WOMAC score over time (p<0.001). Hylan G-F 20 group showed significant improvements in both the WOMAC scores and Visual Analog Scale scores over time (p<0.01). Gender-based sub-analysis suggested both treatments were effective in men, while in women, significant benefits were seen only with Hylan G-F 20. Conclusions: Both corticosteroid and Hylan G-F 20 demonstrated efficacy in managing knee osteoarthritis, albeit in different domains. The results suggest the need for individualized treatment plans and further research into potential gender-based variations in treatment response

Does age and start of Ponseti treatment affect the functional outcome in club foot: A comparative study

Background: Idiopathic clubfoot is one of the most common and complex congenital deformities which are difficult to correct. Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness and results of the Ponseti method’s early use in the treatment of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV). Materials and Methods: Seventy-six feet in 50 patients of CTEV during the period of May 2019–May 2020 were studied. All the cases were treated by Ponseti technique. Children with idiopathic CTEV and age <1 year were included in our study. The severity of deformity was graded according to Pirani scoring system both at the beginning and at the end of treatment. Results: The mean age at presentation was 2.77 months. The mean initial Pirani score at time of presentation was 4.07, and at last follow-up was 0.13. We observed that 63 feet (82.89%) out of 76 feet required a percutaneous TA tenotomy along with plaster casting to correct the equines deformity. The mean total number of casts required to correct the deformity was 6.4. The mean duration of treatment from 1st plaster cast to cast for equinus correction was 8.4 weeks. About 94% of cases had a good outcome at last follow-up which was evaluated on the basis of Pirani score. The association of duration of treatment (weeks) with age and total number of cast with age has P=0.002 which was found to be significant. Conclusion: The Ponseti technique is a very safe, efficient, and acceptable economical treatment for the correction of CTEV that gives excellent results on conservative treatment and in most of the cases avoid surgical intervention if protocol followed as prescribed. If the age of the patient is higher at time of presentation, it requires a longer casting period and more number of casts to correct the deformity compared to younger children with the early presentation

Development of Decadal (1985–1995–2005) Land Use and Land Cover Database for India

India has experienced significant Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LULCC) over the past few decades. In this context, careful observation and mapping of LULCC using satellite data of high to medium spatial resolution is crucial for understanding the long-term usage patterns of natural resources and facilitating sustainable management to plan, monitor and evaluate development. The present study utilizes the satellite images to generate national level LULC maps at decadal intervals for 1985, 1995 and 2005 using onscreen visual interpretation techniques with minimum mapping unit of 2.5 hectares. These maps follow the classification scheme of the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP) to ensure compatibility with other global/regional LULC datasets for comparison and integration. Our LULC maps with more than 90% overall accuracy highlight the changes prominent at regional level, i.e., loss of forest cover in central and northeast India, increase of cropland area in Western India, growth of peri-urban area, and relative increase in plantations. We also found spatial correlation between the cropping area and precipitation, which in turn confirms the monsoon dependent agriculture system in the country. On comparison with the existing global LULC products (GlobCover and MODIS), it can be concluded that our dataset has captured the maximum cumulative patch diversity frequency indicating the detailed representation that can be attributed to the on-screen visual interpretation technique. Comparisons with global LULC products (GlobCover and MODIS) show that our dataset captures maximum landscape diversity, which is partly attributable to the on-screen visual interpretation techniques. We advocate the utility of this database for national and regional studies on land dynamics and climate change research. The database would be updated to 2015 as a continuing effort of this study