Background:Pharmacological methods have been used as an adjunct to enhance child cooperativeness and facilitate dental treatment.Objective:Purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of sedation by intranasal dexmedetomidine and oral combination drug midazolam–ketamine in a group of children with uncooperative behavior requiring dental treatment.Materials and Methods:This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study that included patients 3–9 years old with American Society of Anesthesiologists-I status. About 36 children presenting early childhood caries were randomly assigned to one of three groups studied: Group MK received intranasal saline and oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) with ketamine (5 mg/kg) mixed in mango juice; Group DX received intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) and oral mango juice; and Group C received intranasal saline and oral mango juice. Patients' heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded before, during, and at the end of the procedure. Patients' behavior, sedation status, and wake up behavior were evaluated with modified observer assessment of alertness and sedation scale. Ease of treatment completion was evaluated according to Houpt scale.Results:Hemodynamic changes were statistically insignificant in Group MK and Group DX. About 75% patients in Group MK were successfully sedated as compared to 53.9% Group DX and none of the patients in Group C. Ease of treatment completion was better with Group MK as compared to Group DX and least with Group C. Around 50% patients in Group MK had postoperative complications.Conclusion:Oral midazolam–ketamine combination and intranasal dexmedetomidine evaluated in the present study can be used safely and effectively in uncooperative pediatric dental patients for producing conscious sedation.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition, and if not treated can be a significant risk factor for multiple comorbidities like hypertension (HTN), coronary artery disease (CAD), and congestive heart failure (CHF). The underlying pathophysiology involves coagulation and inflammatory pathways, including an overactive sympathetic nervous system. This ultimately causes hemodynamic changes and subclinical myocardial injuries. We reviewed the published literature about the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) when used as a mode of treatment to reduce the OSA effects on cardiomyocytes. We found that the results were mixed, including both ill and good effects. The cardiac markers like N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were reduced, implying the decrease in the incidence of heart failure with CPAP treatment in a few of the studies. They also proved a significant decrease in harmful cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, while others concluded that CPAP therapy might be stressful on the heart, causing an elevation in cardiac troponin T levels. However, the impact on inflammatory markers is still indeterminate and needs more research in future.

Sarcoidosis and uveitis are chronic inflammatory conditions with potentially debilitating effects on quality of life. Steroids form the mainstay standard therapy in both conditions. Biologic agents are considered to be appropriate alternatives for treatment in steroid-refractory sarcoidosis and uveitis due to the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in mediating the inflammatory cascade seen in both conditions. We performed a thorough literature search using PubMed to compare the extent of use, efficacy, and safety profile of individual anti-TNF agents in the management of these conditions. Our review consists of two systematic reviews with meta-analysis, thirteen observational studies, and fifteen case series/reports. Infliximab had the widest range of organ-system usage in extra-pulmonary sarcoidosis but is equivalent to adalimumab in terms of efficacy. In uveitis, adalimumab was found to be the most efficacious agent for maintaining disease remission in adults and children with chronic non-infectious uveitis. Etanercept was neither used widely, nor was it efficacious in the management of either condition. In terms of safety profile, biologic agents were found to be well tolerated and have a similar safety profile. More randomized clinical trials are needed to inform evidence-based use of biologic agents in these conditions.

The relationship between end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and cerebral stroke is graded and cumulative, having a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Ischemic stroke is more prevalent than hemorrhagic stroke and both stroke types have modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. The presence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation (AF) before stroke occurrence in dialysis patients has a significant impact on the outcomes such as a discharge to rehabilitation, in-hospital mortality with the worst prognosis when compared to the general population. ESRD patients with either peritoneal or hemodialysis (HD) are at increased risk of stroke than the general population, with a high mortality rate at the commencement of dialysis and gradually decreases. Primary and secondary prevention of risk factors plays a significant role in this susceptible population and helps to mitigate better treatment and outcomes. Our review article focuses on the mechanisms, outcomes, treatment, and preventive aspects of stroke in the ESRD population.