International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Not a member yet
9900 research outputs found
Sort by
Classical homocystinuria presenting with bilateral ectopia lentis and multisystem involvement in a pediatric patient: a case report
Get PDFHomocystinuria (HCU) is an uncommon inherited metabolic condition caused by a deficiency of the enzyme cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), which disrupts the normal breakdown of methionine. It leads to elevated homocysteine levels and a wide spectrum of multisystem clinical manifestations. Early recognition and intervention are crucial to prevent irreversible complications. We report the case of a 10-year-old male, firstborn of non-consanguineous parents, presenting with progressive visual impairment, generalized weakness, bilateral knee swelling and increased urinary frequency. Family history revealed early vision loss in a younger sibling. Ocular examination showed bilateral ectopia lentis and optic atrophy. Skeletal features were suggestive of a Marfanoid habitus. Cognitive evaluation indicated borderline intellectual functioning. Laboratory investigations revealed macrocytic anemia, mild liver enzyme elevation and a significantly elevated serum homocysteine level (50 µmol/l), confirming the diagnosis of classical homocystinuria. High-dose pyridoxine and folate supplementation were initiated.
This case highlights the classical phenotype of homocystinuria, including ocular, skeletal, hematologic, hepatic and cognitive involvement. Despite the treatable nature of HCU, diagnostic delays remain common, especially in resource-limited settings. Early diagnosis through clinical suspicion and biochemical testing, along with multidisciplinary management, is essential to reduce morbidity. Homocystinuria should be considered in pediatric patients presenting with ectopia lentis, skeletal disproportions and developmental delay. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve outcomes and prevent life-threatening complications
Academic stress and its clinical implications among college students
Get PDFBackground: Academic stress is increasingly recognized as a major mental health concern among undergraduate students worldwide, often leading to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and impaired general health. However, there is limited research focusing on students in nursing, paramedical, and allied health disciplines in India. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of academic stress and examine its relationship with depression, anxiety, stress, and overall general health among undergraduate students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 404 students from nursing, paramedical, and allied health sciences at Santosh medical college and hospital. Academic stress was measured using the academic stress scale (ASS), psychological symptoms were assessed with the depression anxiety stress scale-42 (DASS-42), and general health was screened with the general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation.
Results: A substantial 86.13% of students reported moderate to high academic stress levels. Correspondingly, moderate to extremely severe symptoms were reported by 61.4% for depression, 65.3% for anxiety, and 58.7% for stress. Furthermore, 70.8% of students scored above the clinical cutoff on the GHQ-12, indicating compromised general health. Significant positive correlations were found between academic stress and depression (r=0.75), anxiety (r=0.72), stress (r=0.70), and general health impairment (r=0.68) (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Academic stress is prevalent among undergraduate health science students and is strongly associated with poor psychological and general health outcomes. These findings highlight the need for early screening and tailored interventions in academic institutions to mitigate adverse mental health impacts and promote student well-being
An observational study on the influence of latissimus dorsi length on upper limb reaction time in recreational volleyball players
Get PDFBackground: Reaction time is a critical determinant of athletic performance, particularly in sports like volleyball that demand rapid upper limb responses. The latissimus dorsi muscle, essential for upper limb mobility and postural stability, may influence neuromuscular responsiveness through its length and flexibility. This observational study aimed to investigate the relationship between latissimus dorsi muscle length and upper limb reaction time in recreational volleyball players aged 18-25 years.
Methods: Eighty recreational volleyball players aged 18-25 years were recruited. Participants with a normal lumbar lordotic angle and disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores indicating no significant upper limb disability were included. Lumbar lordosis was assessed using the flexicurve method, latissimus dorsi muscle length was measured using an inch tape, and upper limb reaction time was evaluated via the ruler drop test. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, with Spearman’s correlation employed to assess associations.
Results: A weak positive correlation was observed between right latissimus dorsi length and right upper limb reaction time (r=0.222, p<0.05), while a moderate positive correlation was found between left latissimus dorsi length and left reaction time (r=0.313, p<0.05). These findings suggest that increased muscle length is associated with slightly prolonged reaction times.
Conclusions: This study found a significant weak-to-moderate positive correlation between latissimus dorsi length and upper limb reaction time. These results suggest that muscle flexibility may influence neuromuscular performance and highlight the need for further research into flexibility training to enhance athletic performance
Antibiotic resistance trends and species distribution of coagulase negative Staphylococci in a tertiary hospital setting
Get PDFBackground: Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) have emerged as significant opportunistic pathogens, especially in nosocomial settings. Their increasing resistance to commonly used antibiotics has heightened the need for species-level identification and susceptibility profiling. Aim of this study was to speciate clinical isolates of CoNS, determine their antibiogram and study biofilm formation.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 84 clinically significant CoNS isolates were identified by Standard biochemical tests and VITEK 2 system. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method following CLSI (Clinical and laboratory standards institute) guidelines. Biofilm formation was assessed by tissue culture plate (TCP) method.
Results: A total 84 clinically significant CoNS isolates were identified from blood, pus, urine, sterile body fluids and catheter tips. Out of 84 isolates, S. epidermidis (46.43%) was the most common species, followed by S. haemolyticus (22.61%) and S. saprophyticus (10.71%). Majority of CoNS were isolated from blood culture (57.15%) followed by pus (21.42%) and urine (14.29%). High resistance was observed against penicillin (92.9%), followed by gentamicin (63.1%), and cotrimoxazole (61.9%). The 54.8% isolates were MRCoNS (Methicillin resistant coagulase negative Staphylococci), with 21.42% showing inducible clindamycin resistance (ICR) among the 84 CoNS. All MRCoNS were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid. Biofilm production was noted in 61.90% of isolates.
Conclusions: Species-level identification and antibiotic resistance profiling of CoNS is crucial in clinical settings to avoid treatment failures. The high prevalence of MRCoNS and biofilm producers necessitates strict infection control and antibiotic stewardship
Steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome as a potential contributor to pediatric-onset psychosis: a case-based hypothesis
Get PDFSteroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) is a type of primary glomerulopathy that results in multiple complications, including edema and hyperlipidemia. Most existing studies indirectly attribute psychiatric manifestations in SSNS to corticosteroid therapy, while its etiological role in neuroinflammation remains rarely discussed. This article aims to explore this association through a unique case report. An investigation of available English-language literature providing insight into pathophysiology of SSNS, neuroinflammation, and psychosis was done. Information collected was reviewed and analysed for quality and relevance. We present a rare case of a 13-year-old male with SSNS, who exhibited escalating oppositional behavior, emotional dysregulation, and aggression, resulting in a parental request for discontinuation of steroids and immunosuppressants. Despite cessation of medication, symptoms progressed to worsening of psychosis with multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, raising concerns for a potential link between SSNS and neuropsychiatric origin. Collateral history revealed discontinuation of immunosuppressant therapy in early childhood, indicating its limited significance in the current presentation. This case elucidates the potential correlation between SSNS and psychosis in pediatric patients from a pathophysiological and neuropsychiatric point of view, necessitating further investigations into its underlying mechanism
A comparative study between onlay and sublay mesh repair in the treatment of ventral hernias
Get PDFBackground: Ventral hernias, characterized by a defect in the anterior abdominal wall fascia, are commonly managed surgically using mesh reinforcement. Among the widely adopted techniques, onlay and sublay mesh placements differ in anatomical location and complication profiles. Despite being routine procedures, consensus on the superior approach remains elusive. Objectives were to compare the clinical outcomes of onlay versus sublay mesh repair in patients undergoing elective ventral hernia surgery.
Methods: This was a prospective interventional comparative study conducted at a tertiary care hospital from September 2019 to July 2021. A total of 90 patients were randomly allocated to undergo either onlay (n=45) or sublay (n=45) mesh repair. Parameters compared included duration of surgery, postoperative pain (VAS scores), incidence of early complications (surgical site infection, seroma, hematoma), duration of drain placement, hospital stay, and late complications (mesh infection, bowel obstruction, recurrence). Data were statistically analyzed for significance.
Results: The mean duration of surgery was significantly longer in the sublay group, while the onlay group had a higher incidence of early postoperative complications including seroma and wound infections. The sublay group demonstrated significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay and fewer late complications.
Conclusions: Although sublay mesh repair requires a longer operative time, it is associated with fewer complications, reduced postoperative morbidity, and quicker recovery. These findings support the adoption of sublay mesh placement as the preferred method in ventral hernia repair
Effect of postural variation on near visual function in myopic subjects
Get PDFBackground: Near visual tasks demand sustained accommodation and convergence, which may vary with body posture. This study examined the effect of sitting, standing and supine positions on amplitude of accommodation (AA) and near point of convergence (NPC) in myopic individuals.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 optometry undergraduates aged 19–30 years with mild to moderate myopia. Comprehensive eye examinations were performed and AA and NPC were assessed in three postures. AA was measured monocularly using the push-up method with a Royal Air Force ruler and NPC was measured binocularly with a pen torch and 0.30 logMAR (6/12) letters. Each test was repeated thrice per posture and mean values were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.
Results: Mean AA in the right eye was 8.48±2.94 D (sitting), 7.89±2.74 D (standing) and 7.38±2.17 D (supine), with no significant difference (p=0.077). NPC averaged 5.38±1.15 cm (sitting), 5.38±1.15 cm (standing) and 5.15±1.45 cm (supine), also not significant (p=0.53).
Conclusions: While posture did not significantly influence AA or NPC, a trend toward better accommodative response was seen in the sitting position. These findings indicate that sitting may provide greater visual comfort for myopes during near tasks, highlighting posture’s potential role in visual performance
Exploring the role of DeepSeek artificial intelligence in patient education and diagnosis for chronic kidney disease: promise and precautions
Get PDFThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare is revolutionizing how patients access medical information
A study on the pattern of antibiotic resistance on different infective organisms in a tertiary care hospital
Get PDFBackground: A serious problem for global health, antibiotic resistance raises morbidity, mortality, and medical expenses. A clear understanding of local resistance patterns is required to maximize empirical therapy and infection control. Objectives of the study was to identify infective organisms and determine their antibiotic resistance profiles in a tertiary care hospital. To assess the resistance patterns across various antibiotic classes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care center. Clinical specimens (pus, urine, sputum, blood, and tissue) were obtained and processed using standard microbiological culture techniques. Isolates were identified, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed via the disc diffusion method in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.
Results: As a result, the present data analysis releaving that the culture positive was seen more in the 46-65 age range and with a higher propotion of females. The majority of the isolated organisms were Escherichia coli (23%), Staphyloccus aureus (21%), Klebisella pneumonia (21%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%). The sample that grew organisms were pus (65), urine (13), sputum (17), blood (3), tissue (2).
Conclusions: The prevalence of drug-resistant infections, particularly in patients aged 46–65 and among females, underscores the importance of routine antimicrobial surveillance. E. coli’s high cefuroxime resistance and maintained amikacin susceptibility highlight the need for evidence-based empirical therapy. Strengthening hospital-based antibiotic stewardship programs is recommended to curb the spread of resistance
Links between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and coronary artery disease: a review of evidence
Get PDFVitamin D receptor (VDR) serves as a nuclear receptor, playing a significant role in mediating the physiological effects of vitamin D through the regulation of gene expression. Polymorphisms in the VDR gene have the potential impact on receptor activity through modifications in gene transcription, mRNA stability and protein function. Within the extensive array of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in the VDR gene, which exceeds 470, four specific variants have captured significant scientific attention: FokI (rs2228570), ApaI (rs7975232), BsmI (rs1544410) and TaqI (rs731236). The examination of these polymorphisms has been conducted within the framework of various diseases, such as malignancies, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease (CAD). Numerous studies indicate a possible links between these genetic variants and an increased risk of developing CAD; however, discrepancies in findings across various populations and research methodologies persist. This review will thoroughly overview the existing literature regarding the links between VDR polymorphisms and CAD