The PDE3 database is an important new resource for drug repurposing research in epilepsy.

Myopia is amongst the most common refractive errors in the world. Both environmental and genetic factors are attributed to its causation, however all factors contributing to the development of myopia is yet to be found. Recent studies show presence of sex hormone receptor in the eyes. This has been shown to have a role in the development of various ocular pathologies. The second to fourth finger length ratio (2D:4D) has been hypothesised to be determined by exposure to sex steroids prenatally and thus considered a crude measure for prenatal androgen exposure. Hence this study was initiated to assess the association between myopia and 2D:4D ratio (a proxy marker to prenatal sex steroid exposure) among 100 medical college students of either sex and explore the possibility of role of prenatal sex steroids in causation of myopia. This study showed significant negative associations between myopia and digit ratio favouring a probable causal role of sex steroids on eye growth and development of myopia.

Background and Aims:Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is largely undiagnosed in surgical population. Airway-related complication account for 35% of anaesthesia-related deaths and OSA patients have higher occurrence of difficult intubation (DIT). The aim of the study is to estimate the occurrence and compare utility of OSA screening parameters in predicting difficult mask ventilation (DMV) and DIT in patients with undiagnosed OSA.Methods:A prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care centre in patients undergoing elective surgery. STOP-BANG questionnaire was administered preoperatively along with collection of demographic data and airway assessment. Population was divided in to OSA and non-OSA groups based on STOP-BANG score >3. Occurrence of DMV, laryngoscopy (DL), and DIT were compared between both groups using DMV score, Cormack–Lehane grading, and intubation difficulty scale score, respectively.Results:A total of 54 patients in OSA and 46 patients in non-OSA group were studied. A total of 49 cases of DMV, 14 cases of DIT, and 25 cases of DL were encountered. In the OSA group, there was 77.7% DMV, 22.2% DIT, and 33.3% DL. History of snoring had the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value while history of apnea, body mass index >35, sleep apnoea clinical score had the highest specificity in determining occurrence of difficult airway. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated STOP-BANG score as the single most important predictor of DMV (odds ratio 3.15, 95% confidence interval, 2.06–4.8).Conclusion:Positive screening test for OSA is associated with difficult airway management.

Background: The use of intravenous (IV) cannulas is an integral part of patient care in hospitals.These intravenous cannulas are a potential route for microorganisms to enter the blood stream resulting in a variety of local or systemic infections. Studies showing the actual prevalence of colonization of peripheral IV cannulas and its role in BSI are lacking. Hence, this study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of colonization of the injection ports of peripheral IV cannulas. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on patients admitted in ICU and wards in an 800 bedded tertiary care hospital. Swabs were taken from lumens of peripheral IV cannulas and cultured. Patient demographic data and practices followed for maintenance of IV line were noted. Results: A total of 196 injection port samples were taken, out of which 11 tested positive for microbial growth (5.61%). Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant organism contributing 64% of the microbial growth. A significant association was seen between presence of local signs, old age and positive cultures. Flushing IV cannula every 6 h was associated with negative cultures. Conclusion: Peripheral IV cannulation has significant potential for microbial contamination and is largely ignored. Most of the risk factors associated with growth of microorganisms in the injection ports of peripheral intravenous cannulas (which has a potential to cause catheter-related blood stream infections) can be prevented by improving protocols for management. To prevent infection from occurring, practitioners should be educated and trained about the care and management of IV.

Atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) poses a significant challenge in terms of positioning and surgical fixation as there is increased risk of cord compression and ischemia. Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) provides a useful tool to identify impending position-related dysfunction. Here we demonstrate the utility of using transcranial motor evoked potential (Tc-MEP) to identify and treat suboptimal positioning in a 13-year-old patient with AAD and Arnold-Chiari malformation.

Background:Pain associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy is most severe during the first 24 h and the port sites are the most painful. Recent multimodal approaches target incisional pain instead of visceral pain which has led to the emergence of abdominal fascial plane blocks. This study embraces a novel combination of two independently effective fascial plane blocks, namely rectus sheath block and subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block to alleviate postoperative pain.Study Objective:The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of rectus sheath block and subcostal TAP block, to compare its efficacy with that of subcostal TAP block alone and with conventional port site infiltration (PSI) in alleviating postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methodology:This prospective, randomized control, pilot study included 61 patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and distributed among three groups, namely Group 1: Combined subcostal TAP block with rectus sheath block (n = 20); Group 2: Oblique subcostal TAP block alone (n = 21); and Group 3: PSI group as an active control (n = 20).Results:Combined group had significantly lower pain scores, higher satisfaction scores, and reduced rescue analgesia both in early and late postoperative periods than the conventional PSI group.Conclusion:Ultrasound-guided combined fascial plane blocks is a novel intervention in pain management of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and should become the standard of care.

This preliminary study shows the utility of craniofacial and anthropometric variables in the identification of individuals at risk of OSA. These findings need to be further validated against the results of overnight polysomnography in a large independent population.

Paravertebral block for analgesia is comparable to thoracic epidural in thoracic trauma patients and is associated with fewer side effects.