Background: Diabetes is a complex, chronic condition that is a severe public health concern of the modern world. A wide range of co-morbidities and microvascular complications are associated with diabetes and one such major microvascular condition of diabetes that, if left untreated, leads to long-term disability among patients is Diabetic neuropathy. The primary goal of this study is to assess the tactile discriminatory function in patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus and compare it with patients who do not have type-2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This case-control study, conducted at a tertiary rural healthcare centre, used a cross-sectional design. 53 individuals with a verified diagnosis of type-2 diabetes were included in the case group based on non-randomized sampling. These were contrasted with patients in the control group who did not have diabetes who were age and sex matched. The participants' tactile discrimination ability was measured using a millimetre-marked compass aesthesiometer. The tips of the index fingers on both the right and left hands, the palmar surfaces of the palms on the hands, the ventral surface of the forearms on the right and left, the plantar surfaces of the big toes on both the right and left foot, and the plantar surfaces of the soles on both the right and left foot were used as the testing sites. Data showing the two-point discrimination thresholds of the case and control groups were compared and tabulated.
Results: The unpaired t-test was done using all the values of two-point discriminatory thresholds in the diabetic and non-diabetic groups at 10 different sites at the upper and lower limbs as mentioned previously. The t values for all the test sites were significant with p values < 0.05. This indicates that the tactile discriminatory thresholds at all the testing sites, differ significantly in diabetic and non-diabetic groups. The current study also aimed to demonstrate a statistically significant association between the duration of diabetes and the reduced sensory abilities of diabetic patients. The Pearson's correlation Test was used to achieve this, but the results were unsatisfactory and somewhat at odds with the findings of several earlier investigations, which had discovered a strong positive link with the duration of diabetes with that of increased values of tactile discriminatory thresholds of the diabetic group. Since the correlation coefficients were not significant, it was not possible to determine a meaningful relationship between the duration of diabetes and the diabetic case group's reduced sensory abilities.
Conclusion: Our study highlights how the two-point discrimination test can aid in the early detection of tactile sensation loss in diabetic patients. The two-point discriminatory thresholds between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups differ significantly, according to the results of the study. Additionally, the data indicates higher threshold values, which point to a marked decline in tactile function in the diabetic group.
Background: As per recent recommendations of the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India, our medical college introduced an elective module for the MBBS admission batch of 2019. Being the inaugural implementation of its kind within our institution and across the nation, our study was designed to gauge the faculty's perception of the elective module. A survey with a cross-sectional design was carried out among the faculty members supervising the implementation.
Methods: A pre-validated questionnaire, formulated by members of the Medical Education Unit (MEU) at our college, was utilized for data collection. The questionnaire was distributed to faculty members through online platforms such as WhatsApp groups and email, using a Google Form. The data analysis considered responses from a cohort of faculty members actively engaged in the elective module implementation.
Results: The faculty consensus indicated that the elective module’s objectives were effectively achieved. The faculty were praised for their supportive and accommodating demeanor, with active involvement in facilitating the electives. The majority of faculty members acknowledged the elective module as a valuable academic activity, citing an appropriate time duration that allowed for the demonstration of creativity and encouraged teamwork. Faculty members expressed apprehension regarding the process of students obtaining signatures in the logbooks.
Conclusion: The study's findings indicate a positive reception of the elective module among faculty. This positive perception underscores the value of electives as learning experiences, offering learners the opportunity to immerse themselves in a chosen career stream, discipline, or research project.
The objective of this article is to provide a thorough examination of the current state of haptic information feedback in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), including research conducted between 1985 and the present. Despite the fact that haptic information input in MIS is currently scarce, the comprehensive analysis emphasises that it represents a potential option. Surgeons might potentially get substantial benefits from receiving more input about force information, which would therefore enhance their surgical accuracy and control. The extant literature highlights a significant knowledge deficit regarding the intricate ramifications of haptic feedback, specifically with regard to the sense of slip and gripping forces. It is crucial to investigate the possible advantages of incorporating supplementary haptic information in order to protect against tissue damage when performing manipulation treatments. It is of the utmost importance to fill this void, since doing so might revolutionise the field of MIS via the mitigation of unintended tissue injury and the improvement of surgical results. By capitalising on technology progress to provide more extensive haptic feedback, surgeons have the ability to enhance their tactile perception, optimise the application of force, and reduce the likelihood of tissue injuries when performing complex surgical procedures.
Background: Malaria and Dengue, transmitted by the Female Anopheles and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes respectively, are significant global health concerns. Recent improvements in sanitation and mosquito control have reduced malaria cases in several parts of India. However, areas where both vectors coexist pose a risk of concurrent infections, complicating diagnosis and treatment. Falciparum malaria and Dengue are known for their severe complications, including cerebral malaria and bleeding tendencies due to reduced platelet count.
Case presentation: A 60-year-old patient presented with high-grade fever, severe headache, body aches, and dehydration. Despite prior treatment at a village clinic, the symptoms persisted and worsened. Upon admission, the patient exhibited high fever, rapid pulse, and mild dehydration. Further examination revealed no respiratory or cardiac issues, but severe headache persisted despite fever reduction. Symptomatic management commenced while awaiting test results. Lab reports indicated a positive result for P. falciparum antigen via immunochromatography.
Conclusion: This case underscores the necessity of testing for both malaria and Dengue in cases of acute high-grade fever to avoid missed diagnoses and untreated severe complications. Coinfection of P. falciparum and Dengue can intensify the severity and duration of both diseases, challenging accurate diagnosis and management. Vigilance in testing and reporting such cases is crucial for effective public health responses. The first documented case of malaria and Dengue coinfection dates back to 2005, highlighting the emerging nature of this phenomenon.
Background: Aeromonas hydrophila, typically found in aquatic environments, is recognized as an infrequent yet significant etiological agent of bloodstream infections.
Case presentation: This case report documents a 61-year-old male undergoing hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease who presented with fever, edema, and laboratory abnormalities indicative of renal dysfunction and inflammation. Blood cultures revealed Aeromonas hydrophila growth, emphasizing the importance of considering this pathogen in dialysis patients with bloodstream infections. The patient's immunocompromised state due to renal disease and diabetes, coupled with frequent medical interventions like dialysis, created a conducive environment for opportunistic infections. Laboratory findings of proteinuria, glucosuria, and electrolyte imbalances further underscored the patient's susceptibility to infection. This case highlights the intricate interplay between underlying comorbidities and immune compromise in predisposing individuals to Aeromonas hydrophila bloodstream infection. Prompt recognition and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for managing such cases.
Conclusion: Healthcare practitioners should maintain vigilance for unusual pathogens in immunocompromised patients, particularly those undergoing dialysis, to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, thus optimizing patient outcomes.
