Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oil massage as an adjunct therapy for neonatal jaundice during phototherapy. Methods: A total of 160 neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled and randomly allocated into two study groups using a computer-generated random number table.Group 1 (Intervention Group) consisted of 84 patients who received both phototherapy and massage therapy, while Group 2 (Control Group) consisted of 76 patients who received only phototherapy. The intervention group underwent massage therapy three times daily for 20 minutes over two consecutive days. Transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured every eight hours. Additionally, the total duration of phototherapy and the 24-hour stool and urine output frequency were recorded in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics between the two groups. However, stool frequency and urine output were significantly higher in the intervention group. The average duration of phototherapy was 19.4±4.17 hours in the intervention group compared to 28.4±6.58 hours in the control group (p<0.001). The rate of Transcutaneous bilirubin reduction was significantly higher in the intervention group during the first 24 hours. A rebound increase in bilirubin levels was observed at 40 and 48 hours in both groups after phototherapy was discontinued. Conclusion Phototherapy combined with massage significantly reduced total bilirubin levels in newborns with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, making it a valuable adjunct treatment for the rapid reduction of bilirubin in neonates.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oil massage as an adjunct therapy for neonatal jaundice during phototherapy. Methods: A total of 160 neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled and randomly allocated into two study groups using a computer-generated random number table.Group 1 (Intervention Group) consisted of 84 patients who received both phototherapy and massage therapy, while Group 2 (Control Group) consisted of 76 patients who received only phototherapy. The intervention group underwent massage therapy three times daily for 20 minutes over two consecutive days. Transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured every eight hours. Additionally, the total duration of phototherapy and the 24-hour stool and urine output frequency were recorded in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics between the two groups. However, stool frequency and urine output were significantly higher in the intervention group. The average duration of phototherapy was 19.4±4.17 hours in the intervention group compared to 28.4±6.58 hours in the control group (p<0.001). The rate of Transcutaneous bilirubin reduction was significantly higher in the intervention group during the first 24 hours. A rebound increase in bilirubin levels was observed at 40 and 48 hours in both groups after phototherapy was discontinued. Conclusion Phototherapy combined with massage significantly reduced total bilirubin levels in newborns with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, making it a valuable adjunct treatment for the rapid reduction of bilirubin in neonates.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oil massage as an adjunct therapy for neonatal jaundice during phototherapy. Methods: A total of 160 neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled and randomly allocated into two study groups using a computer-generated random number table.Group 1 (Intervention Group) consisted of 84 patients who received both phototherapy and massage therapy, while Group 2 (Control Group) consisted of 76 patients who received only phototherapy. The intervention group underwent massage therapy three times daily for 20 minutes over two consecutive days. Transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured every eight hours. Additionally, the total duration of phototherapy and the 24-hour stool and urine output frequency were recorded in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics between the two groups. However, stool frequency and urine output were significantly higher in the intervention group. The average duration of phototherapy was 19.4±4.17 hours in the intervention group compared to 28.4±6.58 hours in the control group (p<0.001). The rate of Transcutaneous bilirubin reduction was significantly higher in the intervention group during the first 24 hours. A rebound increase in bilirubin levels was observed at 40 and 48 hours in both groups after phototherapy was discontinued. Conclusion Phototherapy combined with massage significantly reduced total bilirubin levels in newborns with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, making it a valuable adjunct treatment for the rapid reduction of bilirubin in neonates.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oil massage as an adjunct therapy for neonatal jaundice during phototherapy. Methods: A total of 160 neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled and randomly allocated into two study groups using a computer-generated random number table.Group 1 (Intervention Group) consisted of 84 patients who received both phototherapy and massage therapy, while Group 2 (Control Group) consisted of 76 patients who received only phototherapy. The intervention group underwent massage therapy three times daily for 20 minutes over two consecutive days. Transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured every eight hours. Additionally, the total duration of phototherapy and the 24-hour stool and urine output frequency were recorded in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics between the two groups. However, stool frequency and urine output were significantly higher in the intervention group. The average duration of phototherapy was 19.4±4.17 hours in the intervention group compared to 28.4±6.58 hours in the control group (p<0.001). The rate of Transcutaneous bilirubin reduction was significantly higher in the intervention group during the first 24 hours. A rebound increase in bilirubin levels was observed at 40 and 48 hours in both groups after phototherapy was discontinued. Conclusion Phototherapy combined with massage significantly reduced total bilirubin levels in newborns with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, making it a valuable adjunct treatment for the rapid reduction of bilirubin in neonates.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oil massage as an adjunct therapy for neonatal jaundice during phototherapy. Methods: A total of 160 neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled and randomly allocated into two study groups using a computer-generated random number table.Group 1 (Intervention Group) consisted of 84 patients who received both phototherapy and massage therapy, while Group 2 (Control Group) consisted of 76 patients who received only phototherapy. The intervention group underwent massage therapy three times daily for 20 minutes over two consecutive days. Transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured every eight hours. Additionally, the total duration of phototherapy and the 24-hour stool and urine output frequency were recorded in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics between the two groups. However, stool frequency and urine output were significantly higher in the intervention group. The average duration of phototherapy was 19.4±4.17 hours in the intervention group compared to 28.4±6.58 hours in the control group (p<0.001). The rate of Transcutaneous bilirubin reduction was significantly higher in the intervention group during the first 24 hours. A rebound increase in bilirubin levels was observed at 40 and 48 hours in both groups after phototherapy was discontinued. Conclusion Phototherapy combined with massage significantly reduced total bilirubin levels in newborns with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, making it a valuable adjunct treatment for the rapid reduction of bilirubin in neonates.

Background/Aims: Association of sarcopenia with disease severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) is not clearly defined. We planned to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with UC as per the revised definition and its relation with the disease severity. Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of sarcopenia in patients with UC was performed. Disease activity was graded according to complete Mayo score. Hand grip strength was assessed with Jamar hand dynamometer, muscle mass using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, and physical performance with 4-m walk test. Sarcopenia was defined as a reduction of both muscle mass and strength. Severe sarcopenia was defined as reduced gait speed in presence of sarcopenia. Results: Of 114 patients (62 males, mean age: 36.49±12.41 years), 32 (28%) were in remission, 46 (40.4%) had mild-moderate activity, and 36 (31.6%) had severe UC. Forty-three patients (37.7%) had probable sarcopenia, 25 (21.9%) had sarcopenia, and 14 (12.2%) had severe sarcopenia. Prevalence of sarcopenia was higher in active disease (2 in remission, 6 in active, and 17 in severe, P<0.001). Of 14 with severe sarcopenia, 13 had severe UC while 1 had moderate UC. On multivariate analysis, lower body mass index and higher Mayo score were associated with sarcopenia. Of 37 patients with acute severe colitis, 16 had sarcopenia. Requirement of second-line therapy was similar between patients with and without sarcopenia. On follow-up (median: 18 months), there was a non-significant higher rate of major adverse events in those with sarcopenia (47.4% vs. 33.8%, P=0.273). Conclusions Sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia in UC correlate with the disease activity.

Background: Platelet aggregation studies using conventional light transmission aggregometry (LTA) have several disadvantages and require strict pre-analytical measures for reliable results.We aimed to examine the utility of flow cytometric platelet aggregation (FCA) assay in detecting platelet function defects (PFDs) in patients with a history of bleeding symptoms. Methods: Sixty-four participants (24 patients and 40 healthy controls) were included in this study.LTA and FCA assay were performed simultaneously in patients and healthy controls. In the FCA assay, two portions of platelets from the same individual were labeled separately with CD31-FITC and CD31-PE. After mixing and stimulation with agonists, the double-colored platelet aggregates were visualized using a flow cytometer. The results generated using the two techniques were compared and correlated. Results: The patients’ median age was 17 years (range, 3‒72 yr) with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.7. There was substantial agreement between LTA and FCA assay in detecting a PFD (κ=0.792). Four patients showing a Glanzmann thrombasthenia-like pattern on LTA exhibited an abnormal FCA. A functional defect in collagen binding was detected on the FCA assay conducted in two immune thrombocytopenic patients with severe bleeding. Conclusion FCA assay can be used to identify functional defects in platelets, with potential applications in thrombocytopenic individuals. It also facilitates the diagnosis of inherited bleeding disorders with platelet defects.

Background: The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), is a major menace to cast off TB worldwide. Line probe assay (LPA; GenoType MTBDRplus ver. 2) and Xpert MTB/RIF assays are two rapid molecular TB detection/diagnostic tests. To compare the performance of LPA and Xpert MTB/RIF assay for early diagnosis of rifampicin-resistant (RR) TB in acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear-positive and negative sputum samples. Methods: A total 576 presumptive AFB patients were selected and subjected to AFB microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF assay and recent version of LPA (GenoType MTBDRplus assay version 2) tests directly on sputum samples. Results were compared with phenotypic culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST). DNA sequencing was performed with rpoB gene for samples with discordant rifampicin susceptibility results. Results: Among culture-positive samples, Xpert MTB/RIF assay detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in 97.3% (364/374) of AFB smear-positive samples and 76.5% (13/17) among smear-negative samples, and the corresponding values for LPA test (valid results with Mtb control band) were 97.9% (366/374) and 58.8% (10/17), respectively. For detection of RR among Mtb positive molecular results, the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay and LPA (after resolving discordant phenotypic DST results with DNA sequencing) were found to be 96% and 99%, respectively. Whereas, specificity of both test for detecting RR were found to be 99%. Conclusion We conclude that although Xpert MTB/RIF assay is comparatively superior to LPA in detecting Mtb among AFB smear-negative pulmonary TB. However, both tests are equally efficient in early diagnosis of AFB smear-positive presumptive RR-TB patients.

Background: The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), is a major menace to cast off TB worldwide. Line probe assay (LPA; GenoType MTBDRplus ver. 2) and Xpert MTB/RIF assays are two rapid molecular TB detection/diagnostic tests. To compare the performance of LPA and Xpert MTB/RIF assay for early diagnosis of rifampicin-resistant (RR) TB in acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear-positive and negative sputum samples. Methods: A total 576 presumptive AFB patients were selected and subjected to AFB microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF assay and recent version of LPA (GenoType MTBDRplus assay version 2) tests directly on sputum samples. Results were compared with phenotypic culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST). DNA sequencing was performed with rpoB gene for samples with discordant rifampicin susceptibility results. Results: Among culture-positive samples, Xpert MTB/RIF assay detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in 97.3% (364/374) of AFB smear-positive samples and 76.5% (13/17) among smear-negative samples, and the corresponding values for LPA test (valid results with Mtb control band) were 97.9% (366/374) and 58.8% (10/17), respectively. For detection of RR among Mtb positive molecular results, the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay and LPA (after resolving discordant phenotypic DST results with DNA sequencing) were found to be 96% and 99%, respectively. Whereas, specificity of both test for detecting RR were found to be 99%. Conclusion We conclude that although Xpert MTB/RIF assay is comparatively superior to LPA in detecting Mtb among AFB smear-negative pulmonary TB. However, both tests are equally efficient in early diagnosis of AFB smear-positive presumptive RR-TB patients.

Background: Platelet aggregation studies using conventional light transmission aggregometry (LTA) have several disadvantages and require strict pre-analytical measures for reliable results.We aimed to examine the utility of flow cytometric platelet aggregation (FCA) assay in detecting platelet function defects (PFDs) in patients with a history of bleeding symptoms. Methods: Sixty-four participants (24 patients and 40 healthy controls) were included in this study.LTA and FCA assay were performed simultaneously in patients and healthy controls. In the FCA assay, two portions of platelets from the same individual were labeled separately with CD31-FITC and CD31-PE. After mixing and stimulation with agonists, the double-colored platelet aggregates were visualized using a flow cytometer. The results generated using the two techniques were compared and correlated. Results: The patients’ median age was 17 years (range, 3‒72 yr) with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.7. There was substantial agreement between LTA and FCA assay in detecting a PFD (κ=0.792). Four patients showing a Glanzmann thrombasthenia-like pattern on LTA exhibited an abnormal FCA. A functional defect in collagen binding was detected on the FCA assay conducted in two immune thrombocytopenic patients with severe bleeding. Conclusion FCA assay can be used to identify functional defects in platelets, with potential applications in thrombocytopenic individuals. It also facilitates the diagnosis of inherited bleeding disorders with platelet defects.