Context:Prevalence of hypothyroidism is 2–4% in women in the reproductive age group. Hypothyroidism can affect fertility due to anovulatory cycles, luteal phase defects, hyperprolactinemia, and sex hormone imbalance.Aims and Objectives:To study the prevalence of clinical/sub-clinical hypothyroidism in infertile women and the response of treatment for hypothyroidism on infertility.Materials and Methods:A total of 394 infertile women visiting the infertility clinic for the first time were investigated for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL). Infertile women with hypothyroidism alone or with associated hyperprolactinemia were given treatment for hypothyroidism with thyroxine 25–150 μg.Results:Of 394 infertile women, 23.9% were hypothyroid (TSH > 4.2 μIU/ml). After treatment for hypothyroidism, 76.6% of infertile women conceived within 6 weeks to 1 year. Infertile women with both hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia also responded to treatment and their PRL levels returned to normal.Conclusion:Measurement of TSH and PRL should be done at early stage of infertility check up rather than straight away going for more costly tests or invasive procedures. Simple, oral hypothyroidism treatment for 3 months to 1 year can be of great benefit to conceive in otherwise asymptomatic infertile women.

It is feasible to use AKIN staging for evaluating AKI in neonates with birth asphyxia.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to estimate the dominant handgrip strength and its correlations with some hand and arm anthropometric variables in 101 randomly selected Indian inter-university female volleyball players aged 18-25 years (mean age 20.52±1.40) from six Indian universities.MethodsThree anthropometric variables, i.e. height, weight, BMI, two hand anthropometric variables, viz. right and left hand width and length, four arm anthropometric variables, i.e. upper arm length, lower arm length, upper extremity length, upper arm circumference and dominant right and non-dominant handgrip strength were measured among Indian inter-university female volleyball players by standard anthropometric techniques.ResultsThe findings of the present study indicated that Indian female volleyball players had higher mean values in eleven variables and lesser mean values in two variables than their control counterparts, showing significant differences (P<0.032-0.001) in height (t=2.63), weight (t=8.66), left hand width (t=2.10), left and right hand length (t=9.99 and 10.40 respectively), right upper arm length (t=8.48), right forearm length (t=5.41), dominant (right) and non-dominant (left) handgrip strength (t=9.37 and 6.76 respectively). In female volleyball players, dominant handgrip strength had significantly positive correlations (P=0.01) with all the variables studied.ConclusionIt may be concluded that dominant handgrip strength had strong positive correlations with all the variables studied in Indian inter-university female volleyball players.

In spite of global falling trends, cervical cancer remains a major healthcare challenge for India, South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation region, and other low- and middle-income countries. Our survey was to document the real-world challenges that still exist in India. A total of 316 eligible and complete responses to the 21 questions were analyzed. Screening of mothers and vaccinating their daughters was considered as the most important strategy to prevent cervical cancer by 65.8% (208/316). Screening was offered to all asymptomatic eligible females by 79% (250/316). Improvement in screening rates requires promoting the national program (67.7%; 214/316), strengthening existing infrastructure (62%; 196/316), regular training of primary healthcare workers (57.6%; 182/316), and increasing awareness among schools and colleges (57.9%; 183/316). Almost all responders (93%; 294/316) wanted to have human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination included in the national immunization schedule. Cost of vaccine was considered a major roadblock. If it became available at INR 250 per dose, 96.8% (306/316) respondents would recommend it for all eligible patients. With the impending availability of this indigenous tetravalent HPV vaccine jointly produced by Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India and Serum Institute of India, the war against cervical cancer just got easier.

BackgroundChemoradiotherapy plays an important role in management of locally advanced head and neck cancers. This retrospective analysis was done to evaluate and compare acute toxicity profiles and early clinical outcomes in patients treated with conventional and arc techniques.MethodsFifty-five patients of head and neck cancers were evaluated. Thirty patients received conventional radiotherapy with 6 MV or cobalt 60 and 25 patients were treated with simultaneous integrated boost-volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (SIB-VMAT) with dose prescription of 66 - 70 Gy. Concurrent chemotherapy was given as cisplatin injection at 40 mg/m2 weekly or 100 mg/m2 thrice weekly.ResultsThe incidence of grade 3-4 mucositis was 56% versus 83.3% with SIB-VMAT and conventional treatments (P = 0.026). The incidence of grade 2-3 xerostomia was 44% versus 80% (P = 0.006) in the two groups. Grade 2 dysphagia was seen in 40% versus 80% (P = 0.008) favoring the arc treatments. Seventeen patients undergoing arc treatment had complete response compared to 14 in the conventional group (P = 0.040). The median disease-free survival (median ± standard error) was 16 months (11 ± 1.987 months) in the conventional and arc groups (P = 0.073).ConclusionSIB-VMAT shows a better toxicity profile and a trend towards better disease-free survival when compared to conventional radiotherapy in head and neck cancers.