Background Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the presence of tingling, burning, itching, and unpleasant sensations in hands and feet due to nerve damage by chemotherapy. Exercise rehabilitation has potential to prevent or alleviate CIPN. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of muscle strengthening and balancing exercises on CIPN pain and quality of life (QOL) among cancer patients. Methods The randomized controlled trial included 45 cancer patients from a tertiary care hospital in India receiving chemotherapeutic drugs paclitaxel and carboplatin and found to have CIPN. Subjects were randomly allocated to exercise (n1 = 22) and usual care (n2 = 23) groups. The exercise group received home-based muscle strengthening and balancing exercise for 10 weeks. Data regarding demographic, clinical characteristics, CIPN, neuropathic pain, and QOL were collected by structured questionnaires Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool, nerve conduction velocity, Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale, and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results The 2 groups were homogenous regarding demographic variables. In clinical characteristics, the exercise group had larger body surface area and received a higher dose of paclitaxel. Significant reduction in neuropathic pain scores (P < .0001) and improvement in Functional QOL (P = .0002), Symptom QOL (P = .0003), Global Health Status QOL (P = .004) scores were observed after intervention in the exercise group than the usual-care group. Conclusion Muscle strengthening and balancing exercises are effective in reducing CIPN pain and improving QOL among cancer patients. Implications for Practice Muscle strengthening and balancing exercises can be used as a complementary therapy for effective management of CIPN.

Birth weights are important in relation to perinatal mortality, which is notoriously high among Asians. The results of this study indicate that there is hope for lowering of perinatal mortality and improving postnatal growth in babies of second generation Asians.

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Background: There is a high risk for healthcare workers (HCWs) to get infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the ongoing pandemic, which may last for many months. Inadequate preparedness of the healthcare delivery system, such as shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), lack of hand hygiene facilities, insufficient manpower capacity building may compromise the safety of HCWs and quality of care. Therefore, it is essential to ensure efficient workplace readiness for the HCWs for their safety and thereby the continued quality of care. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted to assess workplace preparedness at healthcare facilities in northern India, especially the availability of PPE, HCWs capacity building, and mitigation effort taken by institutions. A 20-item structured, prevalidated questionnaire was circulated among nurses, doctors, premedical, and other categories of healthcare workers deployed at different level of healthcare facilities in conveniently selected states of northern India. This web-based survey was conducted during the month of April-June 2020, where 1,218 HCWs voluntarily participated. Results: Out of 1,218 participants, the majority of them reported adequate supply of PPE (804; 66%), availability of sufficient hand hygiene facility (802; 65.8%), organization of capability building and upskilling training program on COVID-19 for them (896; 73.6%), and perceived institute's excellent to good level of support while working with patients of COVID-19 (890; 73.1%). Conclusion: There was provision of adequate PPE, infection control facilities, upskilling of HCWs, and support system for the healthcare warriors in northern India to maintain adequate safety of HCWs and functionality of the healthcare system in this crucial time.

Organ donation is the donation of biological tissue or an organ of the human body from a living or dead person to a living recipient in need of a transplantation. Organ transplantation has made rapid strides over the last 6 decades and established its status from an experimental procedure to a well-established treatment modality. The great part of organ donation is most people can be organ donors. Nurses as being the largest part of any health care fleet can play a pivotal role in the dissemination of the right information, and nurse’s knowledge and commitment towards spreading awareness and motivating people pledging for organ donation are extremely important for the success of organ donation program.

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