1.Impacts of heat on sleep quality among heat-exposed workers: a systematic review
Maarthi RAJA ; Vidhya VENUGOPAL ; D. C. MATHANGI ; Suvarna Jyothi KANTIPUDI ; K. Mahesh KUMAR ; Somnath PANDA ; Latha Perumal KAMALAKKANNAN
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2026;38(1):e3-
Climate change is intensifying occupational heat exposure, posing risks not only for heat-related illness but also for sleep, which is essential for recovery, safety, and productivity. Heat-exposed workers are highly vulnerable due to prolonged exposure, limited access to cooling, and poor housing. This systematic review aimed to synthesise global evidence on how occupational heat exposure affects sleep quality among workers across different occupations and settings. A systematic review was conducted following Synthesis without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched (2000–2025) for studies involving adult workers (≥18 years) reporting both heat exposure and sleep outcomes. The review was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD420251125735). Of 7,108 records screened, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies spanned Asia, Australia, North America, and global cohorts. Heat exposure consistently impaired sleep quality and duration. Using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Actigraphy, and self-reports, common complaints included difficulty falling asleep (64%), restlessness (54%), non-restorative sleep (54%), night sweats (36%), and reduced total sleep time (45%). Night-time temperatures above 25°C and high workplace wet bulb globe temperature values were strongly linked with reduced sleep efficiency and delayed sleep onset. Vulnerable groups included shift workers, petrochemical and steel labourers, women, older adults, and low-income workers in urban heat islands and poorly ventilated housing. Occupational heat exposure disrupts sleep, compounding daytime strain and creating a dual burden for workers. Integrating sleep into heat stress management through cooling interventions, better housing, and revised work–rest schedules is critical for workers well-being in a warming climate.
2.Conceptualizing a Personalized Care Pathway for Parkinson’s Disease Using Wearable Sensors in Muslim Patients: The Ramadan Regime
Vinod METTA ; Huzaifa IBRAHIM ; Haidar DAFSARI ; Rajinder K. DHAMIJA ; Hani T. S. BENAMER ; Tom LONEY ; Mishal Abu AL-MELH ; Hasna HUSSAIN ; Afsal NALAREKTTIL ; Guy CHUNG-FAYE ; Gloria TANJUNG ; Bushra ALBLOOSHI ; Shaikha ALMAZROUEI ; Bassam DARWISH ; Mohamed Al MHEIRI ; Mohamed ELMAHDY ; Rukmini MRIDULA ; Sai Sampath KUMAR ; Vinay GOYAL ; Karolina POPŁAWSKA-DOMASZEWICZ ; Cristian Falup PECURARIU ; Prashanth KUKLE ; Jacob CHACKO ; Rupam BORGOHAIN ; Kallol Ray CHAUDHURI
Journal of Movement Disorders 2026;19(1):39-48
Objective:
Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects approximately 2% of individuals over the age of 60. With more than two billion Muslims observing Ramadan, individuals with PD encounter specific challenges, such as deteriorating motor skills, sleep disturbances, and an increased risk of falls during fasting.
Methods:
Our study focused on 75 patients with idiopathic PD divided into two groups: the Ramadan Regime group, which consisted of 50 patients whose medication was adjusted to twice daily at Suhoor and Iftar, and the Nontreatment group, which included 25 patients who abstained from medication for religious reasons. Both groups were instructed to wear a Parkinson’s KinetiGraph (PKG) wrist device.
Results:
The study findings revealed that motor function worsened in the Nontreatment group (p<0.001) but improved in the Ramadan Regime group (p=0.007). Daytime sleepiness also significantly increased in the Nontreatment group (p<0.001).
Conclusion
Overall, the findings suggest that the Ramadan regime significantly enhances patient health and quality of life.
3.A cluster of co-occurring cases of leptospirosis and brucellosis in a pastoral community of dairy farmers, India, 2023–2024: an epidemiological investigation
Farida Khatoon ; Srividya K Vedachalam ; Sushma Choudhary ; Subodh Kumar Joshi ; Pankaj Kumar Jain ; Yogesh Bahurupi ; Fareedduzzafar . ; Meenu Singh ; Pankaj Kumar Singh
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2026;17(2):50-56
Objective: A cluster of leptospirosis and brucellosis cases in a semi-nomadic, pastoral community was reported in October 2023 from Village A, Uttarakhand State, India. This cluster was investigated to describe the epidemiology and potential exposures.
Methods: Suspected cases were residents with sudden-onset fever or myalgia occurring from 1 August 2023 to 7 January 2024; confirmed cases were suspected cases with laboratory confirmation. Suspected cases were identified through a house-to-house case search and were interviewed regarding sociodemographic variables, symptoms and exposures. Those who consented were tested. Data were cleaned and analysed in Microsoft Excel.
Results: Fifty suspected cases were identified among a total of 300 residents across 85 households. Among these, 27 agreed to be tested, and 25 were confirmed (13 with leptospirosis, 7 with brucellosis and 5 with both leptospirosis and brucellosis). The cases began in September 2023 following flooding and continued until January 2024, with no deaths. The median age (range) of cases was 30 (17–82) years for leptospirosis, 39 (25–56) years for brucellosis and 39 (22–50) years for coinfection. Altogether, females accounted for 92% (12/13) of leptospirosis cases, 57% (4/7) of brucellosis cases and 80% (4/5) of coinfections. Symptoms included fever, myalgia and arthralgia. All cases reported contact with floodwater and animal abortus.
Discussion: This was a laboratory-confirmed co-occurring cluster of leptospirosis and brucellosis, including five cases of coinfection, following flooding, predominantly affecting female Van Gujjar dairy farmers. Education was provided to the community about the hygienic disposal of animal waste.
5.Oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders: Mechanisms and implications.
Umesh Chandra DASH ; Nitish Kumar BHOL ; Sandeep Kumar SWAIN ; Rashmi Rekha SAMAL ; Prabhat Kumar NAYAK ; Vishakha RAINA ; Sandeep Kumar PANDA ; Rout George KERRY ; Asim K DUTTAROY ; Atala Bihari JENA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):15-34
Neuroprotection is a proactive approach to safeguarding the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, by preventing or limiting damage to nerve cells and other components. It primarily defends the central nervous system against injury from acute and progressive neurodegenerative disorders. Oxidative stress, an imbalance between the body's natural defense mechanisms and the generation of reactive oxygen species, is crucial in developing neurological disorders. Due to its high metabolic rate and oxygen consumption, the brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Excessive ROS damages the essential biomolecules, leading to cellular malfunction and neurodegeneration. Several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and ischemic stroke, are associated with oxidative stress. Understanding the impact of oxidative stress in these conditions is crucial for developing new treatment methods. Researchers are exploring using antioxidants and other molecules to mitigate oxidative stress, aiming to prevent or slow down the progression of brain diseases. By understanding the intricate interplay between oxidative stress and neurological disorders, scientists hope to pave the way for innovative therapeutic and preventive approaches, ultimately improving individuals' living standards.
6.Unusual Serratia marcescens pleural infection in secondary spontaneous pneumothorax: a case report
Asem Ali ASHRAF ; Sayantani NAG ; Vimal Kumar KARNAKER
Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science 2025;42(1):35-
Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic gram-negative pathogen that causes pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections, particularly in individuals who are immunocompromised. Although commonly associated with pulmonary infections, its involvement in pneumothorax-related infections is exceedingly rare. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) is a life-threatening condition that can complicate underlying lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This case report describes a rare presentation of S. marcescens infection in a patient with SSP complicated by a bronchopleural fistula. A 64-year-old male with a history of COPD, chronic smoking, and alcohol use presented with progressive dyspnea, cough, and left-sided chest pain. Clinical evaluation revealed tachypnea, tracheal deviation, and reduced breath sounds in the left lung. Laboratory investigations revealed leukocytosis with marked neutrophilia and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Chest imaging confirmed pneumothorax, necessitating intercostal drain (ICD) placement. Pleural fluid cultures identified multidrug-resistant S. marcescens, prompting antibiotic escalation to intravenous meropenem and oral faropenem. Despite prolonged antimicrobial therapy and ICD placement, persistent pneumothorax with a bronchopleural fistula was noted. Bronchoscopy with Fogarty balloon placement and cyanoacrylate closure was performed. However, owing to financial constraints, the patient declined follow-up cultures and high-resolution computed tomography imaging, and was discharged with an ICD in situ. This case underscores the need for heightened clinical awareness of S. marcescens in pneumothorax-associated infections. Early microbiological identification and targeted therapy are crucial for the management of rare yet challenging presentations, particularly in resource-limited settings.
7.Opioid-free anesthesia using a combination of ketamine and dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled trial
Vishnuraj K R ; Kunal SINGH ; Nishant SAHAY ; Chandni SINHA ; Amarjeet KUMAR ; Neeraj KUMAR
Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2024;19(2):109-116
Background:
Opioids administered as bolus doses or continuous infusions are widely used by anesthesiologists worldwide for major and day care surgeries. Opioid-free anesthesia is a multimodal anesthesia and analgesia technique that does not use opioid drugs, thereby benefitting patients from opioid-related adverse effects. In this study, we compared the postoperative analgesic requirements of patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under opioid-free and opioid-based anesthesia.
Methods:
This study included 88 patients aged 18–60 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 and 2 who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Participants were randomly divided into two groups with forty-four participants in each group. The opioid-free anesthesia group was administered an intravenous bolus of ketamine and dexmedetomidine, whereas the opioid-based group was administered fentanyl with conventional general anesthesia. The primary outcome was to compare the total amount of fentanyl consumed by both groups during the 6 h postoperative period following extubation. Episodes of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and vital signs were noted throughout the postoperative period to analyze the secondary outcomes.
Results:
Both the groups had similar demographic characteristics. The opioid-free group required less postoperative analgesia within the first 2 h (61.4 ± 17.4 vs. 79.0 ± 19.4 of fentanyl, P < 0.001), which was statistically significant. However, fentanyl consumption was comparable between the groups at the sixth postoperative hour (opioid-free group 152 ± 28.2 vs. opioid group 164 ± 33.4, P = 0.061). Compared with 4.5% of the participants in the opioid-free group, 34% of those in the opioid-based group developed moderate PONV.
Conclusions
The opioid-free anesthesia technique in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduced the requirement of analgesia in the first two hours of the postoperative period and was associated with decreased PONV.
8.Functional Outcomes and a Review of Management Options for Revision Shoulder Arthroplasty
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2024;18(No.2):18-26
Introduction: Increase in the number of primary shoulder
arthroplasty has led to an increase in the number of revisions
which presents many complex challenges and often has
inferior outcomes.
Materials and methods: Data was collected retrospectively,
and patients were classified using Dines classification.
Comprehensive case reviews were done to identify preoperative and intra-operative challenges. The primary
outcome measure was Oxford shoulder score (OSS). The
secondary measures were range of motion (ROM) and
patient satisfaction (very satisfied, satisfied, not satisfied or
worse).
Results: A total of 32 patients were identified with a mean
age of 67.64 years and the most common cause of revision
was a combination of bone and soft tissue failure (39.3%).
All patients (n=8) with hemiarthroplasty had rotator cuff
deficiency while patients with resurfacing had both rotator
cuff failure and bony erosion. Four patients needed a
proximal humeral osteotomy and six patients needed
allograft reconstruction of the glenoid for bone loss. Twentyone shoulders were revised to reverse total shoulder
arthroplasty (TSA), 2 to anatomical TSA and 5 were left with
cement spacer in situ. Mean duration of follow-up was 41.6
months. Mean OSS at the last follow-up was 26.88 with
statistically significant improvement in ROM. There was no
statistical difference in clinical outcomes (p>0.05) based on
the type of primary prosthesis or cause of revision. A total of
70% patients were pain free. Patients with infection had
inferior outcomes with a mean OSS of 17.
Conclusion: Management of patients with failed shoulder
arthroplasty is often challenging but has good clinical
outcome except in infections.
9.How Effective is Fibula Pro Tibia Plating in Treatment of Distal Tibial Fractures: A Pilot Study
Jain S ; Khare H ; Verma K ; Kumar U ; Ajmera A
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2024;18(No.2):27-33
Introduction: Despite recent advances, management of
distal tibial fractures is challenging, with high rate of
complications. Fibula pro tibia plating technique fixes fibula
and tibia together, via laterally placed fibular plate without
disturbing the tibial soft tissue sleeve. We contemplated this
pilot study to assess effectiveness of fibula pro tibia plating
in management of distal tibia fibula fractures.
Materials and methods: A total of 30 patients with distal
tibia fibula fractures with fracture line extending within 5cm
from tibial plafond were managed with fibula pro tibia
plating, with or without minimal articular fixation. Outcome
evaluation was done by union, union time, alignment and
functional outcome as assessed by AOFAS score.
Results: Mean age in the series was 39.4 years with male to
female ratio of 3:2. Mean duration of surgery, blood loss and
C arm exposure were 79 minutes (range 52 to 98min), 80ml
(range 62 to 102ml) and 48 shoots (range 36 to 81 shoots),
respectively. All fractures united in mean union time of 10.2
weeks (range 9 to 14 weeks) with acceptable alignment in all
the patients except one. Mean AOFAS score was 86.3 (range
70 to 93) with 29 patients having good to excellent outcome.
One patient had varus malunion and in one case infection
was seen.
Conclusion: Fibula pro tibia plating can be successfully
used to manage complex distal tibia fractures which leaves
the soft tissue and periosteal sleeve undisturbed, thus
avoiding wound related problems and leading to early union.
10.Latarjet operation carries three times the risk of failure in seizure versus non-seizure recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder joint: outcome of a systematic review with meta-analysis
Alok RAI ; Dushyant CHOUHAN ; Sandeep Kumar NEMA ; Arkesh MADEGOWDA ; Rudra NARAYAN ; Bikram K. KAR
Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow 2024;27(2):160-168
Recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation (RASD) in cases of seizure disorders (SDs) total 50%–80% of all SD-associated shoulder instabilities. Based on the extent of bone loss, treatment options include bony and soft-tissue reconstructions, arthroplasty, and arthrodesis. The primary objective of this paper was to review the treatment options for RASD in SDs. Methods: Several bibliographic databases were searched for RASD treatment options in SD patients. The demographic outcome measures, the failure rate (defined as the relative risk of recurrence of dislocation postoperation), and the postoperative seizure recurrence rate were recorded. Results: We pooled 171 cases (187 shoulders) from 11 studies. Of these, one, five, two, two, and one reports studied Bankart’s operation with remplissage (27 cases/29 shoulders), the Latarjet procedure (106/118), bone block operation (21/23), arthroplasty (11/11), and arthrodesis (6/6), respectively, in treating SD-associated RASD. The relative risk of failure between SD and non-SD patients was 3.76 (1.3610.38) after the Latarjet operation. The failure rates were 17% and 13% for Bankart’s operation with remplissage and the Latarjet procedure in SD patients, respectively, but 0% each for bone block operation, arthroplasty, and arthrodesis. The total rate of seizure recurrence after operation was 33% of the pooled cases. Conclusions: SD recurrence in the postoperative period, the size of the bone block, and the muscular attachments to a small coracoid autograft are the determinants of failure among various reconstructive operations in SD-associated RASD. Level of evidence: III.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail