Role of doxycycline in the treatment of dengue infection: An open-label, randomized, controlled, pilot trial

Objective:To measure the effect of doxycycline on inflammatory marker[IL-6,TNF-α,ferritin and C reactive protein(CRP)]levels in patients with dengue infection.Methods:A single-centre,open-label,parallel-group randomized controlled trial was done in PGIMER Chandigarh from June 2021 to October 2022.Patients were randomized using a simple randomization process into two groups:the doxycycline treatment group(n=35)and the control group(n=34).Patients in the treatment group were given oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for five days along with standard treatment,whereas patients in the control group received only standard treatment.The objective was to measure the effect of doxycycline on inflammatory markers in dengue infection.Results:On comparative analysis at day 5,there was a statistically significant reduction in the median values of ferritin and CRP in cases compared to the control group(ferritin:P=0.006 and CRP:P=0.006).No significant reduction was noted in the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α.Conclusions:Doxycycline treatment led to a reduction of inflammatory markers in dengue infection.

Mitigating fire risks in hospitals:Are we primed and geared up?

The recent incidents have confirmed that fires in COVID-19 hospitals have become a gruelling and nerve-testing challenge[1-3].The increased volumes of oxygen flow,abundance of inflammable alcohol sanitizers,wearing of inflammable kits,and abundance of equipment make it more acquiescent for such incidents and even difficult to control.The density of equipment(especially ventilators)“enriches”air with oxygen,thereby increasing the“combustion risk”.

Hindi translation and validation of the English version of the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale questionnaire:An observational study

BACKGROUND The gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS)is a questionnaire in English language which is designed to assess the clinical symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)and peptic ulcer disease.This validated scale has questions on around 15 items and has been validated in patients with dyspepsia and IBS.AIM To translate and validate the English version of the GSRS questionnaire to the Hindi version.METHODS The purpose of the present work was to create a Hindi version of this questionnaire for use in the Indian population.The process involved various steps as per the World Health Organization methodology including initial forward translation,backward translation,and assessment by an expert committee.Initial pilot testing was followed by testing in healthy and diseased individuals.RESULTS The Hindi translation was pilot tested in 20 individuals and further validated in healthy controls(n=30,15 females)and diseased individuals(n=72,27 females).The diseased group included patients with functional dyspepsia and IBS.Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency on the final translated GSRS questionnaire was 0.715 which is considered adequate.Twelve questions significantly differentiated the diseased population from the healthy population(P value<0.05)in the translated Hindi version of the GSRS.CONCLUSION The translated Hindi GSRS can be used to evaluate gastrointestinal function in clinical trials and community surveys in Hindi speaking populations.

Modernising autism spectrum disorder model engineering and treatment via CRISPR-Cas9:A gene reprogramming approach

A neurological abnormality called autism spectrum disorder(ASD)affects how a person perceives and interacts with others,leading to social interaction and communication issues.Limited and recurring behavioural patterns are another feature of the illness.Multiple mutations throughout development are the source of the neurodevelopmental disorder autism.However,a well-established model and perfect treatment for this spectrum disease has not been discovered.The rising era of the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats(CRISPR)-associated protein 9(Cas9)system can streamline the complexity underlying the pathogenesis of ASD.The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a powerful genetic engineering tool used to edit the genome at the targeted site in a precise manner.The major hurdle in studying ASD is the lack of appropriate animal models presenting the complex symptoms of ASD.Therefore,CRISPR-Cas9 is being used worldwide to mimic the ASD-like pathology in various systems like in vitro cell lines,in vitro 3D organoid models and in vivo animal models.Apart from being used in establishing ASD models,CRISPR-Cas9 can also be used to treat the complexities of ASD.The aim of this review was to summarize and critically analyse the CRISPRCas9-mediated discoveries in the field of ASD.

Development of a protocol for videoconferencing-based exposure and response prevention treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND The existing literature indicates that psychotherapeutic treatment,especially exposure and response prevention(ERP)is efficacious in treating obsessivecompulsive disorder(OCD).The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic adversely impacted many patients with OCD and disrupted their usual treatment.Moreover,the pandemic forced a global switch to telemental health(TMH)services to maintain the standards and continuity of care.Consequently,clinicians are increasingly using TMH-based psychotherapeutic treatments to treat OCD.However,several challenges have made it difficult for them to implement these treatments in the changed circumstances imposed by the pandemic.AIM To describe the formulation,implementation,feasibility,and usefulness of videoconferencing-based ERP(VC-ERP)treatment for OCD during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.METHODS This prospective,observational study was conducted in the psychiatric unit of a multi-specialty hospital in north India over 12 mo(July 2020-June 2021).All patients with OCD were assessed using the home-based TMH services of the department.The VC-ERP protocol for OCD was the outcome of weekly Zoom meetings with a group of clinicians involved in administering the treatment.After a systematic evaluation of the available treatment options,an initial protocol for delivering VC-ERP was developed.Guidelines for clinicians and educational materials for patients and their families were prepared.The protocol was implemented among patients with OCD attending the TMH services,and their progress was monitored.The weekly meetings were used to upgrade the protocol to meet the needs of all stakeholders.Feasibility and efficacy outcomes were examined.RESULTS All patients were diagnosed with OCD as a primary or a comorbid condition according to the International Classification of Diseases,10th version criteria.Out of 115 patients who attended the services during the study period,37 were excluded from the final analysis.Of the remaining 78 patients,VC-ERP was initiated in 43 patients.Six patients dropped out,and three were hospitalized for inpatient ERP.Eleven patients have completed the full VC-ERP treatment.One patient completed the psychoeducation part of the protocol.VC-ERP is ongoing in 22 patients.The protocol for VC-ERP treatment was developed and upgraded online.A large proportion of the eligible patients(n=34/43;79%)actively engaged in the VC-ERP treatment.Drop-out rates were low(n=6/43;14%).Satisfaction with the treatment was adequate among patients,caregivers,and clinicians.Apart from hospitalization in 3 patients,there were no other adverse events.Hybrid care and stepped care approaches could be incorporated into the VC-ERP protocol.Therefore,the feasibility of VC-ERP treatment in terms of operational viability,service utilization,service engagement,need for additional in-person services,frequency of adverse events,and user satisfaction was adequate.The VC-ERP treatment was found to be efficacious in the 11 patients who had completed the full treatment.Significant reductions in symptoms and maintenance of treatment gains on follow-up were observed.CONCLUSION This study provided preliminary evidence for the feasibility and usefulness of VC-ERP in the treatment of OCD.The results suggest that VC-ERP can be a useful option in resource-constrained settings.

Stem cell-like memory T cells:Role in viral infections and autoimmunity

Stem cell-like memory T(TSCM)cells possess stem cell properties including multipotency and self-renewal and are being recognized as emerging players in various human diseases.Advanced technologies such as multiparametric flowcytometry and single cell sequencing have enabled their identification and molecular characterization.In case of chronic viral diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus-1,CD4+T_(SCM) cells,serve as major reservoirs of the latent virus.However,during immune activation and functional exhaustion of effector T cells,these cells also possess the potential to replenish the pool of functional effector cells to curtail the infection.More recently,these cells are speculated to play important role in protective immunity following acute viral infections such as coronavirus disease 2019 and might be amenable for therapeutics by ex vivo expansion.Similarly,studies are also investigating their pathological role in driving autoimmune responses.However,there are several gaps in the understanding of the role of T_(SCM) cells in viral and autoimmune diseases to make them potential therapeutic targets.In this minireview,we have attempted an updated compilation of the dyadic role of these complex T_(SCM) cells during such human diseases along with their biology and transcriptional programs.

Role of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in the management of choledocholithiasis

Surgical fraternity has not yet arrived at any consensus for adequate treatment of choledocholithiasis. Sequential treatment in the form of pre-operative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) is considered as optimal treatment till date. With refinements in technique and expertise in field of minimal access surgery, many centres in the world have started offering one stage management of choledocholithiasis by LC with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE). Various modalities have been tried for entering into concurrent common bile duct(CBD) [transcystic(TC) vs transcholedochal(TD)], for confirming stone clearance(intraoperative cholangiogram vs choledochoscopy), and for closure of choledochotomy(T-tube vs biliary stent vs primary closure) during LCBDE. Both TC and TD approaches are safe and effective. TD stone extraction is involved with an increased risk of bile leaks and requires more expertise in intra-corporeal suturing and choledochoscopy. Choice depends on number of stones, size of stone, diameter of cystic duct and CBD. This review article was undertaken to evaluate the role of LCBDE for the management of choledocholithiasis.

Systemic treatment strategies for triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC) is defined by the lack of immunohistochemical expression of the estrogen and progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(EGFR2). Most TNBC has a basal-like molecular phenotype by gene expression profiling and shares clinical and pathological features with hereditary BRCA1 related breast cancers. This review evaluates the activity of available chemotherapy and targeted agents in TNBC. A systematic review of PubM ed and conference databases was carried out to identify randomised clinical trials reporting outcomes in women with TNBC treated with chemotherapy and targeted agents. Our review identified TNBC studies of chemotherapy and targeted agents with different mechanisms of action, including induction of synthetic lethality and inhibition of angiogenesis, growth and survival pathways. TNBC is sensitive to taxanes and anthracyclins. Platinum agents are effective in TNBC patients with BRCA1 mutation, either alone or in combination with poly adenosine diphosphate polymerase 1 inhibitors. Combinations of ixabepilone and capecitabine have added to progression-free survival(PFS) without survival benefit in metastatic TNBC. Antiangiogenic agents, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and EGFR inhibitorsin combination with chemotherapy produced only modest gains in PFS and had little impact on survival. TNBC subgroups respond differentially to specific targeted agents. In future, the treatment needs to be tailored for a specific patient, depending on the molecular characteristics of their malignancy. TNBC being a chemosensitive entity, combination with targeted agents have not produced substantial improvements in outcomes. Appropriate patient selection with rationale combinations of targeted agents is needed for success.

Anti-HBc screening in Indian blood donors:Still an unresolved issue

AIM:To study the seroprevalence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in healthy blood donors negative for HBsAg and to evaluate whether anti-HBc detection could be adopted in India as a screening assay for HBV in addition to HBsAg. METHODS: A total of 1700 serum samples collected from HBsAg-negative healthy blood donors were tested for the presence of anti-HBc antibody (IgM + IgG). All samples reactive for anti-HBc antibody were then investigated for presence of anti-HBs and for liver function tests (LFTs). One hundred serum samples reactive for anti-HBc were tested for HBV DNA by PCR method. RESULTS: Out of 1700 samples tested, 142 (8.4%) blood samples were found to be reactive for anti-HBc. It was signif icantly lower in voluntary (6.9%) as compared to replacement donors (10.4%, P = 0.011). Seventy- two (50.7%) anti-HBc reactive samples were also reactive for anti-HBs with levels > 10 mIU/mL and 70 (49.3%) samples were non-reactive for anti-HBs, these units were labeled as anti-HBc-only. These 142 anti-HBc reactive units were also tested for liver function test. HBV DNA was detected in only 1 of 100 samples tested. CONCLUSION: Keeping in view that 8%-18% of donor population in India is anti-HBc reactive, inclusion of anti- HBc testing will lead to high discard rate. Anti-HBs as proposed previously does not seem to predict clearance of the virus. Cost effectiveness of introducing universalanti-HBc screening and discarding large number of blood units versus considering ID NAT (Individual donor nuclic acid testing) needs to be assessed.

Biomarkers in triple negative breast cancer:A review

Breast cancer is an intrinsically heterogeneous disease. In the world about 1 million cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually and more than 170000 are triplenegative. Characteristic feature of triple negative breast cancer(TNBC) is that it lacks expression of oestrogen,progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2/neu receptors. They comprise 15%-20% of all breast cancers. We did a systematic review of Pub Med and conference databases to identify studies published on biomarkers in TNBC. We included studies with biomarkers including: Epidermal growth factor receptor,vascular endothelial growth factor,c-Myc,C-kit and basal cytokeratins,Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1,p53,tyrosinase kinases,m-TOR,heat and shock proteins and TOP-2A in TNBC. We also looked for studies published on synthetic lethality and inhibition of angiogenesis,growth,and survival pathways. TNBC is a complex disease subtype with many subclasses. Majority TNBC have a basal-like molecular phenotype by gene expression profiling. Their clinical and pathologic features overlap with hereditary BRCA1 related breast cancers. Management of these tumours is a challenge to the clinician because of its aggressive behaviour,poor outcome,and absence of targeted therapies. As the complexity of this disease is being simplified over time new targets are also being discovered for the treatment of this disease. There are many biomarkers in TNBC being used in clinical practice. Biomarkers may be useful as prognostic or predictive indicators as well as suggest possible targets for novel therapies. Many targeted agents are being studied for treatment of TNBC.

Locoregional treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma:The best is yet to come

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the sixth-most common type of cancer worldwide. The only definitive treatment modalities capable of achieving a cure are hepatic resection and hepatic transplantation. However, most patients are not candidates for these therapies. Overall, treatment options are driven by the stage of HCC. Early-stage disease is treated with ablative therapies, with radiofrequency ablation the ablative therapy of choice. Microwave ablation and irreversible electroporation are the other upcoming alternatives. Intermediate-stage disease is managed with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE), while advanced-stage disease is managed by sorafenib, with TACE and radioembolization as other alternatives.

Controversies in diagnosis and management of Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease(KD) is a common medium vessel systemic vasculitis that usually occurs in small children. It has a predilection for the coronary arteries, but other medium sized arteries can also be involved. The etiology of this disorder remains a mystery. Though typical presentation of KD is quite characteristic, it may also present as incomplete or atypical disease in which case the diagnosis can be very challenging. As both incomplete and atypical forms of KD can be associated with serious coronary artery complications, the pediatrician can ill afford to miss these diagnoses. The American Heart Association has enunciated consensus guidelines to facilitate the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this condition. However, there are still several issues that remain controversial. Intravenous immunoglobulin remains the cornerstone of management but several other treatment modalities, especially glucocorticoids, are increasingly finding favour. We review here some of the contemporary issues, and the controversies thereon, pertaining to management of KD.

A phase II study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by organ preservation in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Objective:Conservative approaches in muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC)have been evolved to avoid aggressive surgery,but are limited to elderly,frail,and patients medically unfit for surgery.Our study aimed to assess the response rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)before radiotherapy(RT)in MIBC patients.Methods:Forty patients with urothelial carcinoma of stage T2-T4a,N0,M0 were enrolled between November 2013 and November 2015,and treated with three cycles of NACT with gemcitabine-cisplatin.Post-NACT response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(RECIST)criteria.Patients who achieved complete response(CR)and partial response(PR)>50%were treated with radical RT,and those who had PR<50%,stable disease(SD),and progressive disease(PD)underwent radical cystectomy(RC).Survival analysis was done with Kaplan-Meier method and point-to-time events were analyzed with Cox-proportional hazards regression model.Results:After NACT,35(87.5%)patients achieved either PR>50%or CR,and were treated with RT.Five(12.5%)patients who had PR<50%,SD,or PD underwent RC.All patients who received radiation showed CR after 6 weeks.Median follow-up was 43 months(range:10-66 months)and median overall survival(OS)was not reached.Three-year OS,local control,and disease-free survival were 70.1%,60.9%,50.6%,respectively,and 50%of patients preserved their functioning bladder.Three-year OS rate was 88.9%in patients who achieved CR to NACT,73.1%in patients with PR≥50%and 40%in patients with PR<50%.Conclusion:NACT followed by RT provides a high probability of local response with bladder preservation in CR patients.Appropriate use of this treatment regimen in carefully selected patients may omit the need for morbid surgery.

Roles of syndecan-1, bcl6 and p53 in diagnosis and prognostication of immunoproliferative small intestinal disease

AIM： To evaluate roles of syndecan-1, bcl6 and p53 in diagnosis and prognostication of immunoproliferative small intestinal disease （IPSID） and to study profiles of kappa （κ） and lambda （λ） light chains and IgA heavy chain. METHODS： The study consisted of 11 cases of IPSID and similar number of controls which included 11 of normal intestinal mucosa and 11 of high grade B cell lymphoma of ileum. The parameters analyzed included clinical profiles, biochemical and other laboratory investigations, radiologic and histological findings including immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： All IPSID cases had demonstrable serum IgA heavy chain and heavy mucosal plasma cell infiltration. According to Galian＇s histological staging, there were 4 patients with stage A and 7 with stage B. κ and ;λ light chains were over-expressed in 7 patients; 1 stage A patient had H pylori-positive active gastritis and eradication of H pylori led to disease remission. Stage A biopsies had higher expression for syndecan-1, while stage B had higher expression for bcl6 and p53. Syndecan-1,κ and λ light chains and IgA heavy chain showed inverse relationship with bcl6 and p53. All patients were treated with doxycycline. CHOP regime was added in 5 patients who developed frank lymphoma. Three died of the disease due to extensive organ infiltration. CONCLUSION： Certain immunomarkers like syndecan-1,κ and λ light chains and IgA heavy chain could be of much help in identifying early stage IPSID. Stage B IPSID showed higher expression for bcl6 and p53 than stage A IPSID. bcl6 and p53 expressions correlated with a more advanced disease stage and aggressive tumour behavior.

Interconversion of two commonly used performance tools: An analysis of 5844 paired assessments in 1501 lung cancer patients

AIM To establish the Karnofsky performance status(KPS) categories which would facilitate the interconversion of the KPS scale to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG) performance status(PS) scale.METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of all patients attending the lung cancer clinic at a tertiary care center over a 5-year period(September 2009 to August 2014). All patients were assessed with both KPS and ECOG PS scales at each visit. Correlation between KPS and ECOG PS was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. KPS categories equivalent to ECOG PS scores were compared using hit rate and weighted kappa(κw).RESULTS A total of 1501 patients were assessed over the study period, providing 5844 paired KPS and ECOG PS assessments. The study cohort had a mean(standard deviation; SD) age of 58.4(10.8) years, with the majority being current or ex-smokers(76.9%) and males(82.3%). Non-small cell lung cancer was the most common histological type(n = 1196, 79.7%) with the majority having advanced(stage ⅢB/Ⅳ) disease(83.4%). Mean baseline KPS and ECOG PS scores were 77.6(SD = 14.4) and 1.5(SD = 1) respectively. The most frequent KPS score was 80(29%), and the most frequent ECOG PS score was 1(43%). The overall correlation between KPS and ECOG PS was good(Spearman r =-0.84, P < 0.0001) but ranged from-0.727 to-0.972 between visits. KPS categories derived from our cohort [10-40(ECOG 4), 50-60(ECOG 3), 70(ECOG 2), 80-90(ECOG 1), 100(ECOG 0)] performed better [hit rate 78.1%, κw = 0.749(0.736-0.762) P < 0.0001] than those suggested in the past literature.CONCLUSION The current study provides the largest set of paired KPS-ECOG assessments to date. We suggest that the KPS categories 10-40, 50-60, 70, 80-90, and 100 are equivalent to ECOG PS categories of 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0 respectively.

Treatment-adherence in bipolar disorder: A patient-centred approach

About half of the patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder(BD) become non-adherent during longterm treatment, a rate largely similar to other chronic illnesses and one that has remained unchanged over the years. Non-adherence in BD is a complex phenomenon determined by a multitude of influences. However, thereis considerable uncertainty about the key determinants of non-adherence in BD. Initial research on nonadherence in BD mostly limited itself to examining demographic, clinical and medication-related factors impacting adherence. However, because of inconsistent results and failure of these studies to address the complexities of adherence behaviour, demographic and illness-related factors were alone unable to explain or predict non-adherence in BD. This prompted a shift to a more patient-centred approach of viewing nonadherence. The central element of this approach includes an emphasis on patients' decisions regarding their own treatment based on their personal beliefs, life circumstances and their perceptions of benefits and disadvantages of treatment. Patients' decisionmaking processes are influenced by the nature of their relationship with clinicians and the health-care system and by people in their immediate environment. The primacy of the patient's perspective on non-adherence is in keeping with the current theoretical models and concordance-based approaches to adherence behaviour in BD. Research over the past two decades has further endorsed the critical role of patients' attitudes and beliefs regarding medications, the importance of a collaborative treatment-alliance, the influence of the family, and the significance of other patient-related factors such as knowledge, stigma, patient satisfaction and access to treatment in determining non-adherence in BD. Though simply moving from an illness-centred to a patientcentred approach is unlikely to solve the problem of nonadherence in BD, such an approach is more likely to lead to a better understanding of non-adherence and more likely to yield effective solutions to tackle this common and distressing problem afflicting patients with BD.

Correlation between soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products levels and coronary artery disease in postmenopausal nondiabetic women

BACKGROUND The established cardiovascular risk factors cannot explain the overall risk of coronary artery disease(CAD),especially in women.Therefore,there is a growing need for the assessment of novel biomarkers to identify women at risk.The receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)and its interaction with the advanced glycation end product(AGE)ligand have been associated with atherogenesis.The soluble fraction of RAGE(sRAGE)antagonizes RAGE signaling and exerts an antiatherogenic effect.AIM The study aim was to explore the association between plasma levels of sRAGE and CAD in nondiabetic postmenopausal women.METHODS This case-control study included 110 nondiabetic postmenopausal women who were enrolled in two groups.Group I included 55 angiographically proven CAD subjects with>50%stenosis in at least one of the major coronary arteries and Group II included 55 healthy control women who did not have CAD or had<50%stenosis of the coronary arteries.Stenosis was confirmed by invasive angiography.Plasma sRAGE was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS We observed significantly lower plasma sRAGE concentrations in subjects with CAD vs healthy controls(P<0.05).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis also revealed a significant correlation between plasma sRAGE levels and CAD(P=0.01).Multivariate odds ratios for CAD revealed that subjects with sRAGE concentrations below 225 pg/mL(lowest quartile)had a 6-fold increase in CAD prevalence independent of other risk factors.CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that low sRAGE levels were independently associated with CAD in nondiabetic postmenopausal women.Risk assessment of CAD in postmenopausal women can be improved by including sRAGE along with other risk factors.

Treatment alliance and adherence in bipolar disorder

The clinician patient relationship lies at the core of psychiatric practice and delivery of mental health care services. The concept of treatment alliance in psychiatry has its origins in psychotherapy, but has also been influenced by several other constructs such as patientcentred care(PCC) and shared decision-making(SDM). Similarly, there has been a shift in conceptualization of treatment-adherence in psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder(BD) from illness-centred and clinician-centred approaches to patient-centred ones. Moreover, the traditional compliance based models are being replaced by those based on concordance between clinicians and patients. Newer theories of adherence in BD place considerable emphasis on patient related factors and the clinician patient alliance is considered to be one of the principal determinants of treatment-adherence in BD. Likewise, current notions of treatment alliance in BD also stress the importance of equal and collaborative relationships, sensitivity to patients' viewpoints, sharing of knowledge, and mutual responsibility and agreement regarding decisions related to treatment. Accumulated evidence from quantitative research, descriptive accounts, qualitative studies and trials of psychosocial interventions indicates that efficacious treatment alliances have a positive influence on adherence in BD. Then again, research on the alliance-adherence link in BD lags behind the existing literature on the subject in other medical and psychiatric conditions in terms of the size and quality of the evidence, the consistency of its findings and clarity about underlying processes mediating this link. Nevertheless, the elements of an effective alliance which could have a positive impact on adherence in BD are reasonably clear and include PCC, collaborative relationships, SDM, open communication, trust, support, and stability and continuity of the relationship. Therefore, clinicians involved in the care of BD would do well to follow these principles and improve their interpersonal and communication skills in order to build productive alliances with their patients. This could go a long way in confronting the ubiquitous problem of nonadherence in BD. The role of future research in firmly establishing the alliance-adherence connection and uncovering the processes underlying this association will also be vital in devising effective ways to manage nonadherence in BD.

Atypical respiratory complications of dengue fever

In last decade,dengue has emerged as one of the most important vector born disease.With increasing cases,uncommon presentations and complications are now commonly recognized.Here,we report two cases of rare pattern of respiratory involvement in dengue:acute respiratory distress syndrome and bronchiolitis with respiratory failure.

Audiovestibular functioning of post-menopausal females with osteoporosis and osteopenia

Introduction:Osteoporosis and osteopenia are progressive disorders characterized by decreased bone mass,especially in postmenopausal women.These can be associated with body pain,fractures,hearing loss and balance disorders.The present study aims to evaluate audio-vestibular function in postmenopausal patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis.Methods:The study included 48 postmenopausal women(new subjects)diagnosed with osteoporosis(n=23)or osteopenia(n=25)in the age range of 50e66 years,as well as 28 normal women as controls.Audiological testing included pure tone audiometry(conventional and extended high-frequency audiometry),speech audiometry,impedance audiometry and otoacoustic emissions,including both transient evoked otoacoustic emissions(TEOAEs)and distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAEs).All subjects also underwent vestibular evoked myogenic potentials testing(both ocular and cervical VEMPs).Results:In the present study,hearing was worse at all frequencies in the osteoporosis group in comparison with the osteopenia and control groups,with worse speech recognition and discrimination scores and OAEs.Vestibular function was affected in 95.65%of women with osteoporosis and 76%of those with osteopenia.Conclusion:Osteoporosis and osteopenia are risk factors for vestibular dysfunction and hearing deficits in postmenopausal women.Thus,hearing and vestibular function should be monitored by audiological and vestibular testing periodically in these individuals.