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Introduction: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignant neoplasm of the neck. Most cases of PTC are diagnosed based on pathologic criteria. However, few thyroid lesions that mimic nuclear features or the architecture of PTC pose diagnostic problems. Papillary projections may be encountered in benign papillary hyperplasia of multinodular goiter, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Graves’ disease. For this reason, the approach to these challenging lesions should include immunohistochemistry. Galectin-3(Gal-3) is an immunohistochemical marker that shows positivity in PTC. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether strong galectin-3 expression is an essential hallmark of PTC or papillary thyroid hyperplasia. Material and Methods: Gal-3 expression was sought by immunohistochemistry in 33 cases of papillary patterns (on microscopy) of thyroid specimens received at our institution. The results obtained were statistically analysed. Result and Conclusion: Of the 33 cases studied, 17 were PTC, and 16 were papillary hyperplasia. Immunohistochemical stain with Galectin -3 revealed a statistically significant P – value, which proves the tendency for Galectin -3 expression is higher in PTC than in papillary hyperplasia.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections account for 80% of hospital-related urinary tract infections. Attempts are being made to improvise catheters to reduce the infective burden. A non-randomized clinical trial was conducted on two hundred and forty patients who required catheterization. The aim was to assess the efficacy of silver ion–impregnated Foley catheters in reducing urinary tract infections. They were divided equally with 120 patients in each group. The control group received standard Foley catheter insertion and patients in the study group received in-house-prepared silver ion–impregnated catheters. Urine was examined for the presence of pus cells on days 1, 3, and 7. Culture and sensitivity were carried out on days 1, 3, and 7. Though the initial results were similar in both groups, there was a significant reduction in the number of pus cells in urine and a decrease in positive cultures on day 7 (P = 0.0277 and P = 0.0497), respectively suggesting the efficacy of silver ion impregnation. This is a simple and easy-to-perform technique with potential for routine use in the future with adequate validation. Routine use minimizes antibiotic usage due to reduced incidence of urinary tract infections and hospital expenses.

One of the major components of medical education is training individuals in various skills related to health care. Training directly on patients has its challenges due to limited opportunities, concerns for patient safety and reluctance of patients. Clinical Skills Laboratory provides a stress-free environment for learning and honing skills under direct supervision. Surgery is predominantly a craft-based branch of medicine and undergraduate medical students have very little exposure to it. With an objective of improving basic surgical skills and improving the competency, a short-term training programme in the form of a workshop was planned, executed in a dedicated Clinical Skills Laboratory for interns posted in the surgical branches. The core areas of training were basic surgical skills required in day-to-day practice in the surgical specialties. Five broad categories of skills, gowning and gloving, instrument handling, knot tying, suturing techniques and universal precautions, were dealt with demonstration and hands-on practice sessions. A total of 14 skills lab training sessions over a period of 3 years from February 2014–March 2017 were conducted where a total of 264 interns participated. Analysis of the feedback showed 62.87% of the participants felt that the content was excellent, 63.63% opined that the presentations were excellent, 76.13% appreciated the demonstration and 60.6% were satisfied with the time allotted for practice sessions. This short-term training in basic surgical skills in a controlled environment helped in improving the interns’ skills and confidence. Implementation of basic surgical skills training provided a complementary experience that facilitates the shortening of the learning curve and enhances the ability of the new doctors to perform various procedures. This model of training in skills laboratories could be inculcated in the curriculum as practical training for effective delivery of health care.

Background: Anastomotic leak is a major complication often leading to significant morbidity and mortality. A method to predict leaks in the early postoperative period will help in better management and outcome. Though serum biomarkers like C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels are often used to predict chances of developing complications, they are nonspecific and suggest mainly ongoing sepsis in general. Detection and assessment of the presence of these biomarkers at the local milieu is an alternate non-invasive option as they are produced at the injury site and increase in anastomotic leaks. If measured serially, can guide to a strong suspicion of a leak before the clinical signs are evident. Methods: Forty-eight patients who underwent intestinal anastomosis for various indications were included. Serial measurement of drain fluid C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were measured on postoperative days 3, 5 and 7.Results: 7 patients developed leaks with two deaths. CRP and procalcitonin levels were higher on all days in comparison with the no leak group. CRP had the highest sensitivity on day 5 with 85.71% and 97.56% specificity on day7. The sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin were 71.43% and 97.56% on day 5 and day 7. Accuracy was 93.7% for CRP and 87.5% for procalcitonin on the seventh day.Conclusions: Serial analysis of drain fluid CRP and procalcitonin showed persistently increased levels in patients with an anastomotic leak. Correlation of the levels in patients with anastomotic leak suggests the possibility of their utility in the early detection of leaks.

Aim: The study was aimed to assess the knowledge on understanding ethical authorship of research publications among the medical and pharmacy faculty members of India. Materials and Methods: We have selected 54 numbers of medical faculty members and 41 numbers of pharmacy faculty members from different parts of India to assess their understanding and knowledge on concept in authorship issues for ethical publication by questionnaire and telephone interview. Results: It showed a significant higher number of publications (t=3.765, p Conclusion: Indicate a clear unethical practice on authorship issues among medical faculty members of India. Although pharmacy faculty members are better in practicing ethical authorship as compared to their medical counterparts but them too need lot of improvements on understanding ethical authorship. Key words: Publication, Authorship issues, Medicine, Pharmacy, Unethical practices.

Groundwater fluoride concentration and fluoride-related health problems were studied in twenty-two villages of Indi taluk of Vijayapura district, Karnataka, India. Present study (2015) was also used to compare groundwater fluoride concentration in same 22 villages with previous government report (2000). Groundwater fluoride concentrations of 62 bore wells of 22 villages were analyzed by using an ion-sensitive electrode. A total of 660 adults and 600 children were screened for fluorosis symptoms and signs. Sixty clinically suspected fluorosis patients' urine samples were further analyzed for fluoride. The mean value (1.22 ± 0.75 mg/L) of fluoride concentration of 62 bore wells and 54.83 % bore wells with ≥1.0 mg/L of fluoride concentrations in Indi taluk indicates higher than the permissible limit of drinking water fluoride concentration recommended for India. Clinical symptoms like arthritis, joint pains, gastrointestinal discomfort and lower limb deformities with high urinary fluoride concentrations in some subjects suggest fluorosis. Results also showed an increase in groundwater fluoride concentration of the same 22 villages between previous and present study. Preliminary arthritis symptom of the villagers could be due to drinking fluoride-contaminated water. Increase in fluoride concentration with time to the bore wells definitely indicates future danger.

The desmoid tumor is an uncommon neoplasm that occurs sporadically or as a part of inherited syndrome. Desmoid tumors are benign, but may infiltrate adjacent structures. Rarely severe and fatal, clinical problems are seen if mesenteric vessels or abdominal organs are involved. Ileum is one of the rare sites and literature search regarding this yielded scant results. Hence, we decided to report this case of aggressive desmoid tumors of the abdominal wall infiltrating ileum.

Background: There are several vested interest lies on research publication hence the editorial policy is the sole important factor to control and regulate ethical publications in medical sciences especially on ‘conflict of interest’ issue.Aim: the study was aimed to assess on awareness of ‘conflict of interest’ issue in medical research and publication among the editorial staff, peer reviewers and authors of Indian medical journals.Methods: 61 authors who have published research articles recently in Indian medical journals (2008-2012), 56 peer reviewers who reviewed the manuscripts during same period and 35 editorial board members of various Indian medical journals were assessed by questionnaire and telephone interview regarding their understanding and knowledge on ‘conflict of interest’ issue for ethical publication.Results: Only 12% of the authors knew about the ‘conflict of interest’ issue and 19% of the medical authors have just heard about it! Out of 12% of authors who knew ‘conflict of interest’ issue only 5% provided that statement to the journals. Among the peer reviewers only 30% knew about ‘conflict of interest’ of which 91.5% stated that they do not bother about this issue while reviewing the manuscripts! But interestingly 75% of the peer reviewers confessed that they had a bias on the topics written by their friends or students! Among the editorial board members of Indian medical journals only 25% have any idea on ‘conflict of interest issue’.Conclusions: Results clearly shows poor understanding of ‘conflict of interest’ like important ethical issue among Indian medical scientists or journals.Keywords: authors; conflict of Interest; editorial members; peer reviewers; Indian Medical Journals.