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INTRODUCTION: Novel coronavirus is believed to be tiny enough (0.08–0.14 μm) to penetrate through face mask, thus protection offered by cloth mask may be too low. However, the use of cloth face mask in community has been recommended by the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and regulatory bodies of other countries. There is paucity of literature on efficacy of cloth face mask in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection transmission; thus, this review aims to update the available most recent evidences on efficacy of cloth face masks in prevention of viral infection transmission. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Clinical Trials Register for identifying studies related to this review using free-text terms and MeSH terms. Both experimental and observational studies on efficacy of cloth masks which were published in English language have been included in this review except expert opinions, commentaries, editorials, and review articles. Twelve studies were eligible to be included in review for data extraction and qualitative synthesis was carried out from extracted data but quantitative analysis (meta-analysis) could not be performed because of serious heterogeneity between the studies. RESULTS: Cloth face masks show minimum efficacy in source control than the medical grade mask. The efficacy of cloth face masks filtration varies and depends on the type of material used, number of layers, and degree of moisture in mask and fitting of mask on face. CONCLUSION: Cloth face masks have limited efficacy in combating viral infection transmission. However, it may be used in closed, crowded indoor, and outdoor public spaces involving physical proximity to prevent spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Studies have suggested that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is effective in the healing of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU); however, there is a lack of consensus. Therefore, to assess the efficacy of HBOT on diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients, controlled clinical trials were searched through PubMed, EMBASE, Clinical key, Ovid Discovery, ERMED, Clinical Trials.gov databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and other sources until 15 September 2020. Studies that evaluated the effect of HBOT on diabetic foot ulcer, complete healing, amputation, adverse events, ulcer reduction area, and mortality rate were included. Of 1984 study records screened, 14 studies (768 participants) including twelve RCTs, and two CCTs were included as per inclusion criteria. The results with pooled analysis have shown that HBOT was significantly effective in complete healing of diabetic foot ulcer (OR = 0.29; 95% CI 0.14–0.61; I2 = 62%) and reduction of major amputation (RR = 0.60; 95% CI 0.39–0.92; I2 = 24%). Although, it was not effective for minor amputations (RR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.34–1.97; I2 = 79%); however, less adverse events were reported in standard treatment group (RR = 1.68; 95% CI 1.07–2.65; I2 = 0%). Nevertheless, reduction in mean percentage of ulcer area and mortality rate did not differ in HBOT and control groups. This review provides an evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is effective as an adjunct treatment measure for the diabetes foot ulcers. These findings could be generalized cautiously by considering methodological flaws within all studies.

Background: During this pandemic everyone is facing the wrath of this novel coronavirus but nurses who are meticulously working in closed contact with diseased are at more risk for developing anxiety, depression and compromised quality of life. This study was conducted with an intent to identify anxiety, depression and quality of life and its predictors among nurses who are actively involved in caring of COVID-19 patients. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among nurses who were actively involved in COVID-19 duties at government tertiary health care institutes of India and data was collection through convenience sampling. Standardized tools (HADS, WHOQOL-BREF) were preferred for the assessment of participants' anxiety, depression and quality of life. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify predictors for anxiety and depression. Results: Of 354 nurses, 12.1% were suffering from anxiety while 14.7% had depression. Mean score for physical, psychological, social and environmental domains were 14.75 ± 1.86, 14.92 ± 2.46, 15.21 ± 3.01, and 14.48 ± 2.38 respectively. Nurses' education was a significant predictor for anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = -0.262, 95% CI: -0.510- -0.014, and P value = 0.038). Similarly for depression, designation of nurses acts as a contributing factor (odds ratio [OR] = 0.287, 95% CI: 0.016- 0.557, and P value = 0.038). Conclusion: Nurses are providing their services beyond boundaries so that we can overcome with hard time of COVID-19 pandemic. Although less but still nurses are suffering from anxiety and depression which need to be addressed to protect and enhance their mental well-being.

Background: Online classes were never been a part of regular habit in India. But due to corona pandemic every institute is offering online classes whether medical or nursing institutes. Aim was to ascertain the attitude towards online classes among undergraduate nursing students during lockdown period.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted on 394 undergraduate nursing students in which samples were chosen through convenient sampling technique. A valid and reliable self-structured questionnaire based on 5 point Likert scale was used to ascertain the attitude of undergraduate nursing students towards online classes and data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 23.Results: More than two-third (76%) participants showed unfavorable attitude towards online classes. There was a significant difference between age, residence, father and mother education with participants’ year of study (p<0.05). Overall mean score for attitude towards online classes was 73.37 (SD±23.52) and there was no significant difference between overall attitude score with participants’ year of study. Only one subscale (interest to computer and intention to adopt component) had significant difference (p=0.011) among participants. There was significant association found among gender, mother education and family income with their year of study (p<0.05).Conclusions: Online classes may have lots of advantages over traditional classes yet it does not seem to be of much interest among undergraduate nursing students in India and they are not willing to consider it on a regular basis. Policy makers should find the way to make online classes more interesting.

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Introduction: Radial Arterial Puncture (AP) is much needed procedure in critical care setting but pain associated during AP makes patients anxious and stressed. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of ethyl chloride spray versus ice pack application in decreasing pain during puncture of radial artery for Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis. Materials and Methods: A randomised controlled parallel group design study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in critical care units among 60 participants during November 2018 to December 2018. Seventy-two participants were initially recruited for this study who had to undergo ABG analysis out of them 12 were excluded and finally 60 participants were randomly allocated to ethyl chloride spray group (n=30) and ice pack application group (n=30). The assigned treatment was given just prior to radial AP. The primary outcome variable was to assess the level of pain score, which participants experienced during AP and measured by pain numerical rating scale while secondary outcome variable was incidence of haematoma within two hours after procedure. Data were presented in frequency, percentages, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Fisher’s-exact test. The statistical computer package, IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 23.0) was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean pain score was 2.5±1.2 in the ethyl chloride group and 3.1±1.8 in ice pack application group (p=0.113); while incidence of haematoma was significantly high in ice pack application group as compared to ethyl chloride group (33.3% vs. 6.66%; p=0.01). Conclusion: Ethyl chloride spray and ice pack application have no significant difference in reducing pain intensity due to radial AP

Background: The advents of new technologies are providing a variety of effective learning environment. However, many adult students still prefer traditional, academic settings and do not want to take online or hybrid classes.Methods: Present study included cross sectional descriptive survey design which was carried out on 394 undergraduate nursing students. Convenient sampling technique was chosen for selection of samples. A five-point Likert self-structured scale was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data in SPSS.Results: Study findings showed that there were 209 (53%) female participants. Significant difference (p=0.05) was found among participants’ gender and year of study, area of residence, father education, family income and whether they had ever attended online classes. Lack of control over the group was top perceived barrier with highest score (261 marks). Majority of participants (61%) perceived barriers encountered during online classes. Mann Whitney U test showed the significant differences of participants’ perceived barriers among male and female participants by their age, year of study, fathers’ education and family income (p<0.05).Conclusions: As more students are growing up familiar with internet-based learning, many students were still opposing to go with online classes. Barriers explored in the study can limit the acceptance of online classes among undergraduate nursing students. Higher authorities must find the ways for making online education user friendly.