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Morphine-sparing effect of ketoprofen after abdominal surgery

Rao AS, Cardosa M, Inbasegaran K

Anaesth Intensive Care, 2000 Feb;28(1):22-6.
PMID: 10701031

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (power of 80% to detect a 30% reduction in morphine consumption, P < 0.05), we have determined that the administration of two doses of intravenous ketoprofen 100 mg, one at the end of surgery and the second 12 hours postoperatively, was associated with a significant reduction in morphine consumption at eight (P = 0.028), 12 (P = 0.013) and 24 hours (P = 0.013) but not four hours (P = 0.065) postoperatively, as compared to placebo, when assessed by patient-controlled analgesia. There was no difference between the groups in pain scores or in the incidence of nausea and vomiting. One patient in the placebo group suffered from excessive sedation while one patient from the ketoprofen group suffered from transient oliguric renal failure. There were no other adverse effects. The results of this study show that ketoprofen does provide a morphine-sparing effect in the management of postoperative pain after abdominal surgery.
Fulltext Optimal size selection of laryngeal mask airway in Malaysian female adult population

Rao AS, Yew AEG, Inbasegaran K

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Dec;58(5):717-22.
PMID: 15190658 MyJurnal

The summary of various studies done looking at size selection of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in adults is that, selection based on sex is appropriate, and that both sizes 4 or 5 are adequate for adult females. However, in our local population these sizes may be too large especially the size 5 for adult females.
Fulltext Audit on tracheostomies performed at the General Intensive Care Unit, Kuala Lumpur Hospital

Rao AS, Mansor L, Inbasegaran K

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Jun;58(2):213-7.
PMID: 14569741 MyJurnal

During a 6-month period from October 2000 to March 2001, we analysed the indications, methods, waiting period and complications following a tracheostomy at the General Intensive Care Unit (GIGU) of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. There were 49 tracheostomies performed during this period. Thirty of them were performed in the GICU using the percutaneous dilatational method while 19 were performed electively in the Operating Theatre (OT) by the ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons. The main indications for a tracheostomy were prolonged mechanical ventilation and airway protection for patients with a poor Glasgow Coma Scale. The average waiting time for a tracheostomy after a decision was made to perform one was 1.34 +/- 0.72 days for a percutaneous tracheostomy and 3.72 +/- 2.52 days for a surgical tracheostomy. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was excessive bleeding in 3 patients in the percutaneous tracheostomy group and 1 patient in the surgical tracheostomy group. Percutaneous tracheostomy is now the main method of tracheostomy at the GICU in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Haemorrhage is the most significant complication of this procedure. However the overall complication rate is comparable with that of a surgical tracheostomy.
Variant course of posterior circumflex humeral artery associated with the abnormal origin of radial collateral artery: could it mimic the quadrangular space syndrome?

Mohandas Rao KG, Somayaji SN, Ashwini LS, Ravindra S, Abhinitha P, Rao A, et al.

Acta Med Iran, 2012;50(8):572-6.
PMID: 23109033

Variations in the origin of axillary artery branches are common. But, distinctly abnormal course of its posterior circumflex humeral branch is rare. We are reporting a case of posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) originating from the axillary artery, passing through lower triangular space to reach the scapular region where it accompanied the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral vein to pass around surgical neck of humerus, deep to the fibers of deltoid. Other variations observed in this specimen were the radial collateral artery arising from the PCHA, middle collateral artery arising directly from the brachial artery and absence of profunda brachii artery. PCHA forming a hair pin loop, traversing through lower triangular space instead of quadrangular space taking a long course is being reported for the first time. Further, the clinical and surgical importance of this case especially in relation with quadrangular space syndrome and relevant literature is discussed.
Prevention of aspirin-mediated secondary toxicity by combined treatment of carotenoids in macrophages

Vijay K, Ambedkar R, Sowmya PR, Ramaiah S, Ranga Rao A, Gundamaraju R, et al.

3 Biotech, 2023 Jul;13(7):223.
PMID: 37292139 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03632-w

Upon understanding the boosting role of carotenoids on the endogenous anti-inflammatory system, it is vital to explore their role in reducing the use of high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), and their mediated secondary toxicity during the treatment of chronic diseases. The current study investigates the carotenoids potential on inhibition of secondary complications induced by NSAIDs, aspirin (ASA) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated inflammation. Initially, this study evaluated a minimal cytotoxic dose of ASA and carotenoids (β-carotene, BC/lutein, LUT/astaxanthin, AST/fucoxanthin FUCO) in Raw 264.7, U937, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In all three cells, carotenoids + ASA treatment reduced the LDH release, NO, and PGE2 efficiently than an equivalent dose of carotenoid or ASA treated alone. Based on cytotoxicity and sensitivity results, RAW 264.7 cells were selected for further cell-based assay. Among carotenoids, FUCO + ASA exhibited an efficient reduction of LDH release, NO, and PGE2 than the other carotenoids (BC + ASA, LUT + ASA, and AST + ASA) treatment. FUCO + ASA combination decreased LPS/ASA induced oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory mediators (iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB), and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β) efficiently. Further, apoptosis was inhibited by 69.2% in FUCO + ASA, and 46.7% in ASA than LPS treated cells. A drastic decrease in intracellular ROS generation with the increase in GSH was observed in FUCO + ASA compared to LPS/ASA groups. The results documented on the low dose of ASA with a relative physiological concentration of FUCO suggested greater importance for alleviating secondary complications and optimize prolonged chronic disease treatments with NSAID's associated side effects.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03632-w.
Automated screening system for retinal health using bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition and integrated index

Acharya UR, Mookiah MR, Koh JE, Tan JH, Bhandary SV, Rao AK, et al.

Comput Biol Med, 2016 08 01;75:54-62.
PMID: 27253617 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2016.04.015

Posterior Segment Eye Diseases (PSED) namely Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), glaucoma and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are the prime causes of vision loss globally. Vision loss can be prevented, if these diseases are detected at an early stage. Structural abnormalities such as changes in cup-to-disc ratio, Hard Exudates (HE), drusen, Microaneurysms (MA), Cotton Wool Spots (CWS), Haemorrhages (HA), Geographic Atrophy (GA) and Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) in PSED can be identified by manual examination of fundus images by clinicians. However, manual screening is labour-intensive, tiresome and time consuming. Hence, there is a need to automate the eye screening. In this work Bi-dimensional Empirical Mode Decomposition (BEMD) technique is used to decompose fundus images into 2D Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs) to capture variations in the pixels due to morphological changes. Further, various entropy namely Renyi, Fuzzy, Shannon, Vajda, Kapur and Yager and energy features are extracted from IMFs. These extracted features are ranked using Chernoff Bound and Bhattacharyya Distance (CBBD), Kullback-Leibler Divergence (KLD), Fuzzy-minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (FmRMR), Wilcoxon, Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (ROC) and t-test methods. Further, these ranked features are fed to Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier to classify normal and abnormal (DR, AMD and glaucoma) classes. The performance of the proposed eye screening system is evaluated using 800 (Normal=400 and Abnormal=400) digital fundus images and 10-fold cross validation method. Our proposed system automatically identifies normal and abnormal classes with an average accuracy of 88.63%, sensitivity of 86.25% and specificity of 91% using 17 optimal features ranked using CBBD and SVM-Radial Basis Function (RBF) classifier. Moreover, a novel Retinal Risk Index (RRI) is developed using two significant features to distinguish two classes using single number. Such a system helps to reduce eye screening time in polyclinics or community-based mass screening. They will refer the patients to main hospitals only if the diagnosis belong to the abnormal class. Hence, the main hospitals will not be unnecessarily crowded and doctors can devote their time for other urgent cases.
Novel risk index for the identification of age-related macular degeneration using radon transform and DWT features

Acharya UR, Mookiah MR, Koh JE, Tan JH, Noronha K, Bhandary SV, et al.

Comput Biol Med, 2016 06 01;73:131-40.
PMID: 27107676 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2016.04.009

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects the central vision of aged people. It can be diagnosed due to the presence of drusen, Geographic Atrophy (GA) and Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) in the fundus images. It is labor intensive and time-consuming for the ophthalmologists to screen these images. An automated digital fundus photography based screening system can overcome these drawbacks. Such a safe, non-contact and cost-effective platform can be used as a screening system for dry AMD. In this paper, we are proposing a novel algorithm using Radon Transform (RT), Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) coupled with Locality Sensitive Discriminant Analysis (LSDA) for automated diagnosis of AMD. First the image is subjected to RT followed by DWT. The extracted features are subjected to dimension reduction using LSDA and ranked using t-test. The performance of various supervised classifiers namely Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) and k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) are compared to automatically discriminate to normal and AMD classes using ranked LSDA components. The proposed approach is evaluated using private and public datasets such as ARIA and STARE. The highest classification accuracy of 99.49%, 96.89% and 100% are reported for private, ARIA and STARE datasets. Also, AMD index is devised using two LSDA components to distinguish two classes accurately. Hence, this proposed system can be extended for mass AMD screening.
Automated diabetic macular edema (DME) grading system using DWT, DCT Features and maculopathy index

Acharya UR, Mookiah MRK, Koh JEW, Tan JH, Bhandary SV, Rao AK, et al.

Comput Biol Med, 2017 05 01;84:59-68.
PMID: 28343061 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.03.016

The cause of diabetic macular edema (DME) is due to prolonged and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) which affects the vision of diabetic subjects. DME is graded based on the exudate location from the macula. It is clinically diagnosed using fundus images which is tedious and time-consuming. Regular eye screening and subsequent treatment may prevent the vision loss. Hence, in this work, a hybrid system based on Radon transform (RT), discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and discrete cosine transform (DCT) are proposed for an automated detection of DME. The fundus images are subjected to RT to obtain sinograms and DWT is applied on these sinograms to extract wavelet coefficients (approximate, horizontal, vertical and diagonal). DCT is applied on approximate coefficients to obtain 2D-DCT coefficients. Further, these coefficients are converted into 1D vector by arranging the coefficients in zig-zag manner. This 1D signal is subjected to locality sensitive discriminant analysis (LSDA). Finally, various supervised classifiers are used to classify the three classes using significant features. Our proposed technique yielded a classification accuracy of 100% and 97.01% using two and seven significant features for private and public (MESSIDOR) databases respectively. Also, a maculopathy index is formulated with two significant parameters to discriminate the three groups distinctly using a single integer. Hence, our obtained results suggest that this system can be used as an eye screening tool for diabetic subjects for DME.
Fulltext The Relationship Between the Global Burden of Influenza From 2017 to 2019 and COVID-19: Descriptive Epidemiological Assessment

Baral SD, Rucinski KB, Twahirwa Rwema JO, Rao A, Prata Menezes N, Diouf D, et al.

JMIR Public Health Surveill, 2021 Mar 02;7(3):e24696.
PMID: 33522974 DOI: 10.2196/24696

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 and influenza are lipid-enveloped viruses with differential morbidity and mortality but shared modes of transmission.
OBJECTIVE: With a descriptive epidemiological framing, we assessed whether recent historical patterns of regional influenza burden are reflected in the observed heterogeneity in COVID-19 cases across regions of the world.
METHODS: Weekly surveillance data reported by the World Health Organization from January 2017 to December 2019 for influenza and from January 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020, for COVID-19 were used to assess seasonal and temporal trends for influenza and COVID-19 cases across the seven World Bank regions.
RESULTS: In regions with more pronounced influenza seasonality, COVID-19 epidemics have largely followed trends similar to those seen for influenza from 2017 to 2019. COVID-19 epidemics in countries across Europe, Central Asia, and North America have been marked by a first peak during the spring, followed by significant reductions in COVID-19 cases in the summer months and a second wave in the fall. In Latin America and the Caribbean, COVID-19 epidemics in several countries peaked in the summer, corresponding to months with the highest influenza activity in the region. Countries from regions with less pronounced influenza activity, including South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, showed more heterogeneity in COVID-19 epidemics seen to date. However, similarities in COVID-19 and influenza trends were evident within select countries irrespective of region.
CONCLUSIONS: Ecological consistency in COVID-19 trends seen to date with influenza trends suggests the potential for shared individual, structural, and environmental determinants of transmission. Using a descriptive epidemiological framework to assess shared regional trends for rapidly emerging respiratory pathogens with better studied respiratory infections may provide further insights into the differential impacts of nonpharmacologic interventions and intersections with environmental conditions. Ultimately, forecasting trends and informing interventions for novel respiratory pathogens like COVID-19 should leverage epidemiologic patterns in the relative burden of past respiratory pathogens as prior information.
Fulltext Competing health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and early response: A scoping review

Baral S, Rao A, Rwema JOT, Lyons C, Cevik M, Kågesten AE, et al.

PLoS One, 2022;17(8):e0273389.
PMID: 36037216 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273389

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has rapidly emerged as a global public health threat with infections recorded in nearly every country. Responses to COVID-19 have varied in intensity and breadth, but generally have included domestic and international travel limitations, closure of non-essential businesses, and repurposing of health services. While these interventions have focused on testing, treatment, and mitigation of COVID-19, there have been reports of interruptions to diagnostic, prevention, and treatment services for other public health threats.
OBJECTIVES: We conducted a scoping review to characterize the early impact of COVID-19 on HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and malnutrition.
METHODS: A scoping literature review was completed using searches of PubMed and preprint servers (medRxiv/bioRxiv) from November 1st, 2019 to October 31st, 2020, using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 and HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and malnutrition. Empiric studies reporting original data collection or mathematical models were included, and available data synthesized by region. Studies were excluded if they were not written in English.
RESULTS: A total of 1604 published papers and 205 preprints were retrieved in the search. Overall, 8.0% (129/1604) of published studies and 10.2% (21/205) of preprints met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review: 7.3% (68/931) on HIV, 7.1% (24/339) on tuberculosis, 11.6% (26/224) on malaria, 7.8% (19/183) on sexual and reproductive health, and 9.8% (13/132) on malnutrition. Thematic results were similar across competing health risks, with substantial indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and response on diagnostic, prevention, and treatment services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and malnutrition.
DISCUSSION: COVID-19 emerged in the context of existing public health threats that result in millions of deaths every year. Thus, effectively responding to COVID-19 while minimizing the negative impacts of COVID-19 necessitates innovation and integration of existing programs that are often siloed across health systems. Inequities have been a consistent driver of existing health threats; COVID-19 has worsened disparities, reinforcing the need for programs that address structural risks. The data reviewed here suggest that effective strengthening of health systems should include investment and planning focused on ensuring the continuity of care for both rapidly emergent and existing public health threats.
Fulltext Competing Health Risks Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic and Early Response: A Scoping Review

Baral S, Rao A, Twahirwa Rwema JO, Lyons C, Cevik M, Kågesten AE, et al.

medRxiv, 2021 Dec 15.
PMID: 33442703 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.07.21249419

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has rapidly emerged as a global public health threat with infections recorded in nearly every country. Responses to COVID-19 have varied in intensity and breadth, but generally have included domestic and international travel limitations, closure of non-essential businesses, and repurposing of health services. While these interventions have focused on testing, treatment, and mitigation of COVID-19, there have been reports of interruptions to diagnostic, prevention, and treatment services for other public health threats.
OBJECTIVES: We conducted a scoping review to characterize the early impact of COVID-19 on HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and malnutrition.
METHODS: A scoping literature review was completed using searches of PubMed and preprint servers (medRxiv/bioRxiv) from January 1st to October 31st, 2020, using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 and HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and malnutrition. Empiric studies reporting original data collection or mathematical models were included, and available data synthesized by region. Studies were excluded if they were not written in English.
RESULTS: A total of 1604 published papers and 205 preprints met inclusion criteria, including 8.2% (132/1604) of published studies and 10.2% (21/205) of preprints: 7.3% (68/931) on HIV, 7.1% (24/339) on tuberculosis, 11.6% (26/224) on malaria, 7.8% (13/166) on sexual and reproductive health, and 9.8% (13/132) on malnutrition. Thematic results were similar across competing health risks, with substantial indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and response on diagnostic, prevention, and treatment services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and malnutrition.
DISCUSSION: COVID-19 emerged in the context of existing public health threats that result in millions of deaths every year. Thus, effectively responding to COVID-19 while minimizing the negative impacts of COVID-19 necessitates innovation and integration of existing programs that are often siloed across health systems. Inequities have been a consistent driver of existing health threats; COVID-19 has worsened disparities, reinforcing the need for programs that address structural risks. The data reviewed here suggest that effective strengthening of health systems should include investment and planning focused on ensuring the continuity of care for both rapidly emergent and existing public health threats.
Relationship between markers of lipid peroxidation, thiol oxidation and Glasgow coma scale scores of moderate head injury patients in the 7 day post-traumatic period

Nayak C, Nayak D, Raja A, Rao A

Neurol Res, 2008 Jun;30(5):461-4.
PMID: 18953735

Epidemiologic works reveal that moderate head injury (MHI) is more frequent and a substantial number of these patients develop complications resulting in neurological disabilities. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in post-traumatic neuronal damage following traumatic head injury. Thus, the current study analysed the post-traumatic changes in the erythrocyte markers of oxidative damage and the relationship between these parameters and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores of MHI patients during the 7 day study period.
Erythrocyte indicators of oxidative changes in patients with graded traumatic head injury

Nayak CD, Nayak DM, Raja A, Rao A

Neurol India, 2008 3 4;56(1):31-5.
PMID: 18310834

CONTEXT: Acute oxidative stress following a traumatic head injury (HI) has been implicated in inducing severe secondary brain damage and influencing the clinical outcome of HI patients.
AIMS: This study was performed to evaluate and compare the oxidative changes in patients with varying severity of HI in the early posttraumatic period using erythrocyte indicators.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Head injury patients were divided into two groups based on their Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores recorded at admission to the hospital on the day of trauma itself. Accordingly, the study included 30 severe HI (SHI, GCS scores 8 or less) and 25 Mild HI (MHI, GCS scores more than 8) patients. Thirty age and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in this comparative study as controls.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from controls and HI patients (within 24 h of trauma onset). Erythrocyte oxidative changes were studied by estimating thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR).
RESULTS: Erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly higher and GSH levels were significantly lower in SHI and MHI patients as compared to controls. The SOD activity was significantly increased only in SHI patients and remained unchanged in MHI patients as compared to controls. As compared to MHI patients, erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly higher, GSH levels were significantly lower and SOD activity was markedly elevated in SHI patients. Erythrocyte GR activity did not show significant changes in both groups of patients as compared to controls.
CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress is evident in both SHI and MHI patients in the early posttraumatic period as reflected by their erythrocyte indicators, but the severity of oxidative stress has varied relatively with the severity of head injury. The present findings provide indications that early oxidative changes could influence the neurological recovery of HI patients.
Relationship between neurological outcome and early oxidative changes in erythrocytes in head injury patients

Nayak C, Nayak D, Bhat S, Raja A, Rao A

Clin Chem Lab Med, 2007;45(5):629-33.
PMID: 17484625

Experimental data indicate that destructive oxidative events reach their peak within the first 24 h after trauma in head injury (HI) and that brain damage occurring due to this impact can be the cause of death or irreversible permanent disabilities in affected patients.
Time-level relationship between indicators of oxidative stress and Glasgow Coma Scale scores of severe head injury patients

Nayak C, Nayak D, Raja A, Rao A

Clin Chem Lab Med, 2006;44(4):460-3.
PMID: 16599841

Oxidative stress is said to strongly influence the neurological recovery of patients following a severe head injury. Estimation of the markers of oxidative stress in the blood of such patients can hence aid in predicting the prognosis of head injury.
Time-relative changes in the erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities and their relationship with Glasgow Coma Scale scores in severe head injury patients in the 21-day posttraumatic study period

Nayak CD, Nayak DM, Raja A, Rao A

Indian J Med Sci, 2007 Jul;61(7):381-9.
PMID: 17611343

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species are indicated to play a prime role in the pathophysiology of brain damage following a severe head injury (SHI).
AIM: The current study was designed to understand the time-relative changes and relationship between erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of SHI patients in the 21-day posttraumatic study period.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study included 24 SHI patients and 25 age- and sex-matched normal controls (NC). Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were assayed in these patients and controls. The GCS scores of these patients were also recorded for the comparative study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Venous blood samples were collected on day 7 (D7) and D21 from SHI patients and NC for the assay of SOD, GR and GSH-Px activities. These changes were correlated with age and changes in GCS scores of patients.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean values of each parameter between group 1 (NC), group 2 (D7 changes in SHI patients) and group 3 (D21 changes in SHI patients). ANOVA was followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests. The Pearson correlation was applied to correlate between the antioxidant parameters and age and GCS scores of these patients.
RESULTS: A significant increase in erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities was observed in group 3 as compared to groups 1 and 2. The increase in GSH-Px activity was significant in group 2 as compared to group 1. Although not significant, there was an increase in mean GR activity in groups 2 and 3 as compared to group 1.
CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that SHI patients have shown significantly enhanced erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities during the 21-day posttraumatic study period.
Fulltext Separate Belly and Tendon of Flexor Digitorum Superficialis to the Fifth Digit

Rao M, Ashwini LS, Somayaji SN, Mishra S, Guru A, Rao A

Oman Med J, 2011 Nov;26(6):e027.
PMID: 28861181 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2011.120

Variation in the origin of long flexor tendons in the anterior compartment of forearm is common. During routine cadaveric dissection at Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus), we observed a separate muscle belly and tendon of flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) to the fifth digit in the right upper limb of a 60 year-old male cadaver. The anomalous muscle belly originated from the common flexor tendon from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and continued as a thin tendon at the middle of the forearm to get inserted into the middle phalanx of the fifth digit. This can be considered as a case of split flexor digitorum superficialis. Such muscle variations and knowledge of their frequency, appearance, and location can be helpful for surgeons.
Fulltext Significance of likes: Analysing passive interactions on Facebook during campaigning

Khairuddin MA, Rao A

PLoS One, 2017;12(6):e0179435.
PMID: 28622350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179435

With more and more political candidates using social media for campaigning, researchers are looking at measuring the effectiveness of this medium. Most research, however, concentrates on the bare count of likes (or twitter mentions) in an attempt to correlate social media presence and winning. In this paper, we propose a novel method, Interaction Strength Plot (IntS) to measure the passive interactions between a candidate's posts on Facebook and the users (liking the posts). Using this method on original Malaysian General Election (MGE13) and Australian Federal Elections (AFE13) Facebook Pages (FP) campaign data, we label an FP as performing well if both the posting frequency and the likes gathered are above average. Our method shows that over 60% of the MGE13 candidates and 85% of the AFE13 candidates studied in this paper had under-performing FP. Some of these FP owners would have been identified as popular based on bare count. Thus our performance chart is a vital step forward in measuring the effectiveness of online campaigning.
Fulltext Insights into Disaster Management Scenario among Various Health-Care Students in India: A Multi-Institutional, Multi-Professional Study

Rajesh G, Binnal A, H Pai MB, Nayak SV, Shenoy R, Rao A

Indian J Community Med, 2020 06 02;45(2):220-224.
PMID: 32905107 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.IJCM_104_19

Background: The frequency of occurrence of disasters is on the rise all over the world. Workforce shortage can be a major impediment toward efficient disaster management. Incorporation of other health-care workers along with conventional medical personnel might be critical for efficient and effective management of disasters.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess various aspects pertaining to disaster management among various health-care students in India.
Methods: Final-year students pursuing medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy, Ayurveda, and homeopathy at various institutions in Mangalore, India, were the study participants. Participants' willingness to partake in disaster management and knowledge, attitude, behavior, and perceived effectiveness pertaining to disaster management was ascertained by a questionnaire method. Their previous history of training and familiarity with standard operating procedures was assessed.
Results: A total of 437 students belonging to seven health-care institutions participated in the study. Overall, 98.40% of the participants were willing to partake in disaster management. The mean knowledge, attitude, behavior, and perceived effectiveness scores were 49.19%, 81.75%, 47.28%, and 66.20%, respectively. Step-wise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that course (β = 0.247, P < 0.001), attitude (β = 0.154,P = 0.001), and behavior (β = 0.284, P < 0.001) were significant predictors of perceived effectiveness.
Conclusions: Participants in the present study revealed that they were willing to partake in disaster management. The participants also reported poor behavior and knowledge scores but appropriate attitude scores. The present study highlights the need for curriculum changes and policy implications for effective integration of various sectors for disaster management, particularly in developing nations such as India, which have a definite scarcity of resources.
Fulltext Comparative Assessment of the Effects of Hatha Yoga and Physical Exercise on Biochemical Functions in Perimenopausal Women

Chaturvedi A, Nayak G, Nayak AG, Rao A

J Clin Diagn Res, 2016 Aug;10(8):KC01-4.
PMID: 27656468 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/18891.8389

INTRODUCTION: Menopause is a transitional phase in which some women experience discomfort, while others may exhibit variety of symptoms. The power of yoga therapy in relieving stress, enhancing health, improving fitness and managing symptoms of a variety of disorders is remarkable.
AIM: The current study was designed to study the effect of Hatha yoga therapy and regular physical exercise on the Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Glycated Haemoglobin (GHB), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), serum cortisol and total plasma thiol levels in perimenopausal women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 216 women with perimenopausal symptoms, 111 in test group (Hatha yoga) and 105 in control group (physical exercise). The duration of intervention was 45 minutes every day for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected in the pre and post intervention period. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05.
RESULTS: FBS and GHB (p≤0.05) showed a significant decrease after yoga therapy. Cortisol levels significantly (p≤0.05) increased in the post intervention period in the control group. However, it is maintained in the test group between the two time periods. The total plasma thiols level showed a rise in the post intervention period, significant rise (p≤0.001) in control group but not significant in the test group. The TSH levels were not altered in any group.
CONCLUSION: It is concluded that exercise helps in maintaining the sugar levels but calming effects of yoga practice is important in relieving stress and enhancing health in perimenopausal women.

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