All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar (AIIMS Deoghar) is a public medical school and hospital located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, India, and one of the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMSs). It is one of the six AIIMS that started operation in 2019.
Background: Typhoid fever remains a major public health concern in many low- and middle-income countries. Rising antimicrobial resistance has renewed interest in bacteriophage-based diagnostics and therapeutics. This prospective observational study aimed to isolate and characterize Salmonella Typhi Vi-specific bacteriophages from urine samples collected over six months. Methods: Fifty urine samples were collected from patients with either clinically suspected or microbiologically confirmed typhoid. Following centrifugation and filtration, samples were enriched using host strains of Salmonella Typhi that were Vi-positive. Spot and double-layer agar plaque assays were used to detect phages. Plaque morphology, host range, heat stability, pH tolerance, and chloroform sensitivity were used to describe isolated phages. Results: Out of 50 samples, 18 (36%) had Vi-specific bacteriophages. Compared to clinically suspected cases, isolation was substantially higher in culture-confirmed typhoid cases (52.0% vs. 18.2%, p=0.018). Turbid plaques made up 38.9% of the total, whereas clear plaques predominated (61.1%). At pH 6–8 and temperatures as high as 50°C, the majority of isolates were stable. 72.2% of isolates showed narrow host specificity toward bacteria that expressed Vi. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that urine is a feasible non-invasive source for recovering Vi-specific bacteriophages. Such phages may have future utility in rapid diagnostics, environmental surveillance, and adjunctive phage therapy against drug-resistant typhoid fever. Recommendation Urine-based isolation of Vi-specific bacteriophages should be further explored as a non-invasive approach for typhoid diagnostics and surveillance. Larger multicenter studies incorporating molecular characterization are recommended before clinical application.
Background:Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in movement and posture resulting from early brain injury. In India, the estimated incidence is approximately 3 per 1,000 live births, accounting for 15-20% of childhood physical disabilities. The condition imposes substantial psychosocial and economic burdens on families, highlighting the need for effective support systems. Methodology:A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar. A total of 250 caregivers were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using structured tools assessing socio-demographic characteristics, medical expenditure, and non-medical expenditure. Results:The findings revealed a considerable financial burden among caregivers, with median medical and non-medical expenditures indicating substantial out-of-pocket costs. Individuals from lower socio-economic groups constituted the largest proportion of the sample (32%). Statistically significant associations were observed between age and non-medical expenditure (p = 0.01); caregiver education and medical (p = 0.01) as well as total expenditure (p = 0.02); occupation and total expenditure (p = 0.01); type of CP and medical expenditure (p = 0.04); and distance from healthcare facility and non-medical expenditure (p = 0.03). Conclusions:The study highlights the significant economic burden experienced by caregivers of children with Cerebral Palsy, particularly in rural and low-income settings. The most common clinical type identified was spastic CP. The mean medical and non-medical expenditures were ₹8,339.4 and ₹6,776.4, respectively. Key caregiver and contextual factors were significantly associated with these costs. The findings underscore the need for subsidized rehabilitation services, caregiver education, and improved accessibility to healthcare in order to reduce financial strain and enhance the quality of disability care.
Background: Growing antimicrobial resistance has drawn attention to bacteriophages that target Salmonella Typhi as possible antibiotic substitutes. By precisely infecting and lysing bacteria, these viruses offer tailored therapy, lessen collateral harm to the normal microbiome, and offer a viable treatment for typhoid infections that are resistant to several drugs. Aim: To isolate and molecularly characterize Salmonella Typhi-specific bacteriophages from human urine samples over six months. Materials and Methods: Standard enrichment and plaque assay methods were used to process sixty urine samples in order to isolate bacteriophages. PCR and genome profiling were used for molecular characterisation. Lytic activity, host range, thermal stability, and efficiency of plating (EOP) were among the parameters that were assessed. Results: Four dominant phages (A–D) were identified. Phage C showed the highest lytic activity (90%) and EOP (0.85). Significant differences were observed among phages (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The therapeutic potential of urine-derived bacteriophages is supported by their powerful lytic capacity against Salmonella Typhi.
The 2025 neonatal resuscitation guidelines, developed jointly by the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, provide evidence-based recommendations for the most crucial actions during delivery and throughout the neonatal period. Ventilation remains the cornerstone of resuscitation, starting with ventilation rates of 30-60/ min, ≥ 30% oxygen for very preterm infants (<32 weeks), guided by pulse oximetry and electrocardiography monitoring to avoid hyperoxia. Deferred cord clamping (≥60 sec), strict thermal regulation and skin-to-skin contact are strongly encouraged. Laryngeal mask airways can be used as an alternate device in failed bag-mask ventilation in term infants. The 2025 guidelines shift neonatal resuscitation from an algorithmic event to a continuum of care, emphasizing system readiness, team integration, precise physiological targets and structured recovery - while maintaining core resuscitation principles established in 2015.
Patients with Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) present with chronic cough, throat irritation, and sometimes hoarseness that significantly affect the quality of life. Standard treatments, including proton pump inhibitors, vary in effectiveness, leading to the investigation of alternative therapies. This study aimed to assess the role of Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, in reducing LPRD symptoms and improving voice-related quality of life in a cohort study from Eastern zone of Uttar Pradesh. This prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Otorhinolaryngology department of Uttar Pradesh university of Medical Sciences, Saifai. Ethical Committee approval was obtained and informed consent was taken from the study participants. Patients aged 18–60 years with LPRD symptoms were enrolled for the study and randomized into two groups: Group A received 400 IU/day of Vitamin E with standard treatment (n = 22), and Group B received standard treatment alone (n = 23). Primary outcomes were measured using Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS), while the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) assessed quality of life. Data were analyzed using SPSS with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Group A demonstrated significantly greater reductions in RSI and RFS scores at three months compared to Group B, with a p-value < 0.05. VHI scores also improved more significantly in Group A (p = 0.03), indicating enhanced quality of life. Vitamin E supplementation with standard care reduce LPRD symptoms and improve quality of life, offering a safe adjunct therapy for patients with LPRD.
