Indian J Med Res
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Review Meta Analysis
AGT, CYP11B2 & ADRB2 gene polymorphism & essential hypertension (HT): A meta-analysis.
Background & objectives The results of the genetic association studies between the selected candidate genes and hypertension (HT) contradicted across different populations. Majority of the meta-analyses carried out did not consider population genetic ancestry as a confounding factor. Therefore, this meta-analysis attempted to consolidate and re-evaluate the findings of the association between the selected candidate variants (AGT-rs699, CYP11B2-rs1799998, ADRB2-rs1042713 and rs1042714) and HT, by categorizing the genotyping data based on known genetic ancestry, and/or major geographical populations. ⋯ ADRB2-rs1042713-G was significantly associated with HT in east Asians for (i) allele (P=0.01, OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05-1.51), and (ii) recessive mode of inheritance (P=0.04, OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.01-1.83). Interpretation & conclusions Different genotype and allele frequencies in diverse populations result in different genetic associations with HT across populations. This meta-analysis finding provides an update and summary of the genetic association between the selected simple nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and HT across different populations and essential insights into selecting appropriate pharmacogenetic marker(s) for effective HT management in populations of different ancestries.
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Review Meta Analysis
Unveiling the burden of scrub typhus in acute febrile illness cases across India: A systematic review & meta-analysis.
Background & objectives Scrub typhus is an emerging mite-borne zoonotic infection that has been overlooked, despite being one of the most widespread severe vector-borne diseases. With an estimated one billion people at risk worldwide and one million annual cases, it poses a significant public health concern. While various studies have investigated the prevalence of scrub typhus in different regions of India, a comprehensive regional systematic review and meta-analysis on the seropositivity of scrub typhus among acute febrile cases has been lacking. ⋯ Additionally, the pooled case fatality rate (based on data from six studies) among scrub typhus-positive cases yielded a case fatality rate of 7.69 per cent (95% CI: 4.37-11.72). Interpretation & conclusions This meta-analysis shows that scrub typhus is a significant health threat in India. Preventive measures to control scrub typhus need to be given priority.
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Post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19), called as long COVID syndrome, is a major global public health issue after recovery from COVID-19. The disease occurs in symptomatic patients irrespective of illness severity. The symptoms continue after four wk of recovery from acute illness and persist beyond three months. ⋯ Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and early use of oral antiviral nirmatrelvir within the first five days in patients with acute mild disease having various risk factors for progression to severe disease help in preventing long COVID. Several clinical trials are underway for the treatment of long COVID and the results of these are eagerly awaited. Physical and mental rehabilitation at home, at community level or in the hospital setting as appropriate is essential in patients with long COVID.
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Background & objectives We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19-related disruptions on ongoing and future projects related to neuroscience research and young researchers in India. Methods We conducted a countrywide online survey using a structured, self-administered questionnaire involving medical trainees, post-doctoral fellows, PhD students, early career faculty members and basic neuroscience researchers. The purpose was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the respondents' ongoing/planned research activities and capture their concerns related to future research. ⋯ Interpretation & conclusions In our survey, an overwhelming majority of the respondents reported that the pandemic adversely impacted their study. This trend was independent of sex, designation, and research output of individual subjects. The serious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on neurosciences research warrants the attention and concerted efforts of the research supervisors, institutional heads, funding agencies and other stakeholders.