COVID-19 is a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus which is a very worrisome public health emergency. In this study, we compared the mortality rate and recovery rate in countries with and without BCG vaccination policy. The data of mortality of COVID-19 was extracted from worldometer (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/) on 26^th July 2020. The data of countries where BCG vaccination is being done for all individuals is taken from BCG world atlas (http://www.bcgatlas.org/index.php), updated in 2017. BCG vaccination policy recommended countries are intervention group versus countries without BCG vaccination policies which are regarded as control group. Pooled analysis of countries with and without BCG vaccination policy revealed mortality rate of 1.31% (95%CI – 1.31% to 1.32%; I² = 100%, p<0.01) and 3.25% (95%CI – 3.23% to 3.26%; I² = 100%, p<0.01), respectively. The recovery rate in two country groups were found to be 72.60% (95%CI – 72.57% to 72.63%) and 55.94% (95%CI – 55.90% to 55.98%), respectively. 52 individuals need to be BCG vaccinated to prevent one death (NNT = 52). In BCG vaccination program countries, there is statistically and clinically significant less mortality (p-value <0.001) as compared to countries without BCG policy. Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that BCG vaccination may provide protection from COVID-19. High quality evidence from randomised controlled trials are required to establish causality between BCG vaccination and protection from severe COVID-19.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), defined as glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy, poses a significant and growing public health challenge in India. With India housing the world’s largest diabetes population, the rising prevalence of GDM has profound implications for maternal and neonatal health, contributing to complications including preeclampsia, macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycaemia, and increased lifelong risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for both mother and child. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library for studies published between January 2019 and December 2024, with seminal works from 2015–2018. Search terms included “gestational diabetes mellitus”, “India”, “screening”, “prevalence”, “management”, and “health systems”. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed articles, government reports, and systematic reviews focusing on Indian populations. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data. The PRISMA 2020 framework guided reporting. Results: From 2,847 initial records, 156 studies met the inclusion criteria. GDM prevalence in India ranges from 7.2% to 21.4%, with substantial regional variations. Southern states consistently report higher prevalence (15–22%) compared to northern (10–17%) and eastern regions (8–15%). Key challenges identified include low awareness among pregnant women (32% rural, 58% urban) and healthcare providers, inconsistent adoption of evidence-based guidelines (41% of facilities following standardized protocols), severe resource and infrastructural constraints, and significant socioeconomic barriers. Laboratory facilities for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) are available in only 34% of community health centers and 12% of primary health centers. Digital health interventions show promise but face implementation barriers, including limited smartphone penetration (45% in rural areas) and inadequate Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workforce training (34% completion rate). Discussion: Despite the escalating burden of GDM in India, numerous unmet needs persist across the care continuum. This review proposes actionable recommendations, including simplified, cost-effective screening strategies, capacity building, integration into existing maternal health programs, and robust postpartum follow-up systems. Success requires sustained commitment to collaborative research, policy initiatives, and integrated, equitable, and sustainable GDM care approaches.

Resistant hypertension (RH) is characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure despite treatment with three or more antihypertensive agents, including a diuretic. Excess production of aldosterone is a key contributor to this condition. Baxdrostat is a novel, highly selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor that reduces aldosterone synthesis without affecting cortisol production. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of baxdrostat in patients with RH. Following a preregistered PROSPERO protocol (CRD420251038564) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Scopus through December 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing baxdrostat with placebo in adults with RH. Primary efficacy outcomes were changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Primary safety outcomes included adverse events and hyperkalemia. Data were pooled using random-effects models. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2, and evidence certainty was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE). Three RCTs (the BrigHTN trial, the BaxHTN trial, and the HALO trial) involving 1,318 patients were included. Pooled analysis demonstrated that baxdrostat significantly reduced SBP compared with placebo (mean difference (MD): -7.93 mmHg; 95% CI: -12.64 to -3.21; I² = 84%; high-certainty evidence). DBP was also significantly reduced (MD: -3.49 mmHg; 95% CI: -5.18 to -1.81; I² = 68%; high certainty). Dose-dependent effects were observed, with greater reductions at 2 mg. There was no significant difference in overall adverse events (risk ratio (RR): 1.05; 95% CI: 0.95-1.16) or serious adverse events (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.70-1.73). However, baxdrostat increased hyperkalemia risk (serum potassium ≥5.5 mmol/L) (RR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.61-5.11; moderate certainty), although most cases were mild and manageable. Baxdrostat provides clinically meaningful blood pressure reductions in RH with a favorable safety profile. Its highly selective, cortisol-sparing mechanism offers a promising therapeutic option that directly targets aldosterone dysregulation in RH.

Vaccines were commonly viewed as part of the exit strategy to return to prior employment, education, and socialization routines. It is important to increase the availability of doses for the immunization of the global population in order to control the COVID-19 pandemic, which involves tight cooperation between manufacturers and authorities. A global effort is warranted for the management of the virus and equal access to effective vaccines for all countries. This review examines the immunological responses elicited, safety, and SARS-CoV-2 protection offered by vaccine. This review also explores the essential phases between a promising preclinical trial and production on a large scale. The challenges faced during this pandemic and platforms built to address them during this pandemic will play a crucial role in the containment of future outbreaks. Nearly two years since the start of the pandemic, we are at a point where preclinical and clinical data are generated for vaccines can assist us in gaining a deeper understanding of this important area.