COVID-19 disease in peritoneal dialysis patients: a single centre experience from India

BACKGROUND

This study presents our data on mortality in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) who developed COVID-19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sri Padmavathi Medical College Hospital, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences University, was designated the State COVID Hospital in March 2020. In a retrospective observational study, we collected the data of ESRD patients on PD and identified the risk factors for mortality.

RESULTS

Prior to the pandemic, 136 patients with ESRD were on peritoneal dialysis at our Institute. Among them, 27 (19.8%) eventually developed COVID-19, and 14 of them (51.8%) died. Serum albumin levels were lower and D-dimer levels were significantly higher in deceased patients than in survivors.

DISCUSSION

The mortality rate in ESRD patients on PD with COVID-19 at our institution was higher than in other published studies.

Water drinking practices in adpkd patients: A questionnaire based study

Introduction:

Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) who have normal renal function (creatinine clearance, >90 ml per minute per 1.73 m² of body-surface area) might potentially benefit from frequent water intake that would be sufficient to reduce plasma AVP levels and decrease the average urine osmolality, bringing it closer to that of plasma.

Materials and Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, the patients of ADPKD, chronic kidney disease stages 1–5 were included. We formed a questionnaire on the dietary recommendation to the patients. The questions enquired whether the patients received the recommendation from the faculty and the postgraduates of the nephrology department that (a) they should consume at least 3000 mL of water per day, (b) that they should not consume coffee and tea,(c) adherence of patients to the advice of the nephrologists.

Results:

Of 294 patients, 142 (48.2%) did not receive any dietary recommendation. The rest 152 (51.7%) were given the appropriate dietary recommendation. Majority of the patients mentioned that they lacked the access to the water when they intend to consume. Despite the advice from the nephrologists, 95 (32.3%) failed to observe the abstinence from coffee and tea. The reason expressed for not quitting coffee and tea was the force of the habit.

Conclusion:

Treating doctorsfailed to inform 48% of patients the proper diet. Only 20.3% of patients consumed >3.0 litre of water per day. The demand of the agricultural work at a place away from home deprived majority of the participants of the study from the potable water.

New distribution records of four species of crop wild relatives to India

A field survey across various parts of India coupled with an analysis of the literature and an examination of herbarium specimens revealed the presence of four species of crop wild relatives that have not been reported from India, viz., Dioscorea piscatorum Prain & Burkill (from Little & Great Nicobar), Fagopyrum gracilipes (Hemsl.) Dammer ex Diels (from Arunachal Pradesh), Rubus praecox Bertol. (from Jammu & Kashmir), and Ziziphus subquinquenervia Miq. (from Great Nicobar). While Rubus praecox is naturalised in the Kashmir Valley, Dioscorea piscatorum and Ziziphus subquinquenervia were found truly wild, and Fagopyrum gracilipes occurs as a weed in buckwheat fields and orchards. Ziziphus subquinquenervia has been resurrected from the allied Z. elegans Wall. of peninsular Malaysia and Singapore owing to the distinct diagnostic characters. Their description, phenology, habitat, and other field observations have been highlighted here.

Surgical correction of urethral diverticulum in a female pseudo-hermaphrodite crossbred calf

A 40 kg crossbred calf of one month age was presented to the Institute Referral Polyclinic, with a history of dysuria, stranguria along with a fluctuant swelling in the mid-perineal region. On physical examination, a diverticulum was observed which on aspiration revealed urine. It was reported that urine outflow was from a tiny orifice at the proposed natural site of the vulva. Dissection of the skin over the diverticulum revealed hypoplastic penis with adhesion of the preputeal sheath along with penile hypospadia. Permanent perineal urethrostomy and diverticulectomy was performed in the region of the defect. The urethral layer was sutured along with the skin using 1-0 Polyamide sutures in a simple interrupted pattern. No postoperative complication was reported till one year of surgery and animal was urinating properly.

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Success of Two commercially Available Pulpotomy Agents in Primary Teeth: An in vivo Study

AIM

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare Biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as pulpotomy agents by clinical and radiological assessments in primary teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 90 decayed primary molars indicated for pulpotomy were chosen and are divided into two groups. Soft enamel and dentinal caries were removed using spoon excavator. Access opening was done using highspeed cool water handpiece. Normal saline was used to irrigate pulp chamber, later saline moistened cotton pellet was used to obtain hemostasis in both groups. Restorations were placed in respective groups and immediate postoperative radiographs were taken. Follow-ups were done at every 3 months intervals, i.e., 3, 6, 9, and 12 months respectively.

RESULTS

Statistical evaluation was carried out by using paired t-test which showed no significant difference between the two groups (p ≥ 0.05) with high success rate of 95.5%.

CONCLUSION

Pulpotomy with MTA and Biodentine is a reliable biological method for pulp treatment of primary teeth.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Mineral trioxide aggregate and Biodentine could be considered as a reliable biological method for pulp-otomy of primary teeth.

"Question of the Day": Impact on learning and retention

Background Studying regularly has been a known method for better memory and long term retention of a subject. Getting students to study on a regular basis has been tried in many ways and its impact is increased if they understand the importance and value the efficiency of it. Objectives With large number of students, it would be a time consuming process to follow one on one interactions or study sessions. Hence, we introduced a new strategy, the "Question of the Day", which is interesting, challenging and most of all; it has produced positive influence on the examination performance of the students who performed this task. Main objective of this study was to make students answer questions related to the topics taught every day. Method Regular studying and updating the subject knowledge was provided through Question of the Day (Annexure-1). The students were given the questions on a regular basis during dissection classes and were asked to document the answers for those questions. Result The students who worked on the "Question of the Day" scored significantly higher in the exams than those who did not. The results of the opinion survey clearly indicated that this exercise was liked by most of the students. Conclusion "Question of the day" did have a positive influence on the student's performance. Most of the students felt that this exercise had a positive impact on their study methods, interaction with peers and teachers, retention and recollection of the knowledge.