FISPGHAN statement on the global public health impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

As rates of obesity rise worldwide, incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly referred to as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is increasing, worsening the burden of healthcare systems. The council of the Federation of International Societies for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (FISPGHAN) identified the topic of MASLD epidemiology, treatment, and prevention as a global priority issue to be addressed by an expert team, with the goal to describe feasible and evidence-based actions that may contribute to reducing MASLD risk. The FISPGHAN member societies nominated experts in the field.

National outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing O145:H28 associated with pre-packed sandwiches, United Kingdom, May-June 2024.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) is a group of bacteria that causes gastrointestinal illness and occasionally causes large foodborne outbreaks. It represents a major public health concern due to its ability to cause severe illness which can sometimes be fatal. This study was undertaken as part of a rapid investigation into a national foodborne outbreak of STEC O145.

Factors Affecting Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) in Patients With Septic Shock: An Analysis of a National Inpatient Sample Database.

Background: Septic shock is defined as sepsis with hypotension requiring vasopressors to maintain a mean arterial pressure above 65 mmHg and having a serum lactate level of more than 2 mmol/L despite adequate volume resuscitation as per the Sepsis-3 criteria. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is commonly utilized in septic shock patients for the treatment of acute kidney injury as well as for modulating immune response and maintaining hemodynamic stability.

Methods: We looked at the National Inpatient Sample database in 2019.

A Comprehensive SWOT and TOWS analysis of transfusion medicine: Indian Perspective.

Background And Objective: SWOT and TOWS analysis is a strategic planning tool for identifying internal and external factors influencing a field. It helps to identify areas for improvement and growth by maximizing strengths and opportunities while minimizing weaknesses and threats. Transfusion medicine specialists can better understand the field's current status and plan potential growth using SWOT and TWOS strategic tools.

Development and evaluation of Amikacin-loaded carbopol hydrogel for topical treatment of Mycobacterium marinum skin infections.

Mycobacterium marinum is a slow growing Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM) known to cause skin and subcutaneous tissue infections known as "fish tank granuloma" in humans. Treatment of M. marinum skin infections can last for several months or even years.

Unravelling the role of health literacy among individuals with multimorbidity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To examine existing literature regarding health literacy levels and their association with multimorbidity and the potential underlying mechanisms behind the said association.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Science Direct were searched for articles published between 1 January 2000 and 31 October 2023 using a systematic search strategy.

Evaluation of the Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) management component under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) in Kerala, India, 2021-22.

Background And Objective: We evaluated the DR-TB component of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) in a high-burden district in Kerala to identify the programmatic gaps, if any, in screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of notified DR-TB patients.

Methods: A mixed-methods design was used, and the evaluation was performed in two steps. In the first step, we reviewed the program documents and conducted stakeholder interviews to develop a detailed description of the program design and developed a logical framework to evaluate program performance.

High Interleukin (IL)-6 is Associated with Lower Lung Function and Increased Likelihood of Metabolic Dysfunction in Asthma.

Introduction: Asthma is a complex condition characterized by airway inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a significant role in asthma pathogenesis through its effects on T cells and its association with pro-inflammatory responses. Both lung and circulating IL-6 levels are elevated in asthma.

Social Contact Patterns in Rural and Urban Settings, Mozambique, 2021-2022.

Few sources have reported empirical social contact data from resource-poor settings. To address this shortfall, we recruited 1,363 participants from rural and urban areas of Mozambique during the COVID-19 pandemic, determining age, sex, and relation to the contact for each person. Participants reported a mean of 8.

Association of Posterior Tibial Slope and Functional Outcome After Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Observational Study.

Introduction Precise implant positioning, particularly a well-balanced posterior tibial slope (PTS), is crucial for the success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) because it enhances sagittal plane stability and significantly influences knee motion patterns. The long-term impact of tibial slope on active and passive range of motion (ROM) still needs to be studied, despite ROM's crucial role in patient contentment. This study examined the relationship between tibial slope and active and passive ROM following TKA, with a follow-up period of at least three months.

Phytochemistry and nutraceutical potential of Ceylon Cinnamomum species native to Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon is a spice that is renowned for its several medicinal and cosmetic benefits. The research study examined the essential oil content, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of seven species native to Sri Lanka. Cinnamon bark and leaf samples were used to extract essential oils, methanol, and hexane.

International prevalence patterns of low eGFR in adults aged 18-60 without traditional risk factors from a population-based cross-sectional disadvantaged populations eGFR epidemiology (DEGREE) study.

The disadvantaged populations eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) epidemiology (DEGREE) study was designed to gain insight into the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) of undetermined cause (CKDu) using standard protocols to estimate the general-population prevalence of low eGFR internationally. Therefore, we estimated the age-standardized prevalence of eGFR under 60 ml/min per 1.73m in adults aged 18-60, excluding participants with commonly known causes of CKD; an ACR (albumin/creatinine ratio) over 300 mg/g or equivalent, or self-reported or measured (HT) hypertension or (DM) diabetes mellitus, stratified by sex and location.

Tandemly duplicated Rubisco activase genes of cereals show differential evolution and response to heat stress.

Heat stress affects various components of photosynthetic machinery of which Rubisco activation inhibition due to heat sensitive Rubisco activase (RCA) is the most prominent. Detailed comparison of RCA coding genes identified a tandem duplication event in the grass family lineage where the duplicated genes showed very different evolutionary pattern. One of the two genes showed high level of sequence conservation whereas the second copy, although present only 1.

A case of Vibrio pelagius in a child with Inflammatory bowel disease.

We describe a rare case of an eleven-year-old child with undiagnosed underlying Crohn's disease who contracted Vibrio pelagius. Though the exact source remained undetermined, the child may have acquired it through infected sea food. Automated system failed to exactly identify the isolated organism; we used detailed biochemical tests for identification.

PI3K Signaling and Lysyl Oxidase is Critical to Corneal Stroma Fibrosis Following Mustard Gas Injury.

Sulfur mustard gas (SM), an alkylating and vesicating agent, has been used frequently in many wars and conflicts. SM exposure to the eye results in several corneal abnormalities including scar/fibrosis formation. However, molecular mechanism for SM induced corneal fibrosis development is poorly understood.

The role of combined problem-based learning (PBL) and case-based learning (CBL) teaching methodologies in dental education.

Background: Innovative methods of teaching such as problem-based learning (PBL) and case-based learning (CBL) have shown promising results in academic understanding and application and enable one to manage their patients in a better manner. The study aimed to analyze the role of a combination of PBL and CBL teaching methodologies in a dental teaching institute in India.

Materials And Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional randomized study comprised 500 students divided into two study groups, each consisting of 250 participants.

Age- and sex-disaggregated disease burden among the older persons in India.

Background: In the context of the increasing number and proportion of population aged 60 years or more in India, it is imperative to understand their health needs for ensuring healthy ageing.

Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we identified the top ten causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) disaggregated by sex and age groups (60-64 years, 65-69 years, 70-74 years, 75-79 years, and ≥ 80 years) for India in 2019. We analysed the proportional contribution of individual causes to the total DALYs due to communicable diseases (CMNNDs), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and injuries disaggregated by age and sex.

End Binding Proteins: Drivers of Cancer Progression.

Cancer, a complex and heterogeneous disease, continues to be a major global health concern. Despite advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics, the aggressive nature of certain cancers remain a significant challenge, necessitating a deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms driving their severity and progression. Cancer severity and progression depend on cellular properties such as cell migration, cell division, cell shape changes, and intracellular transport, all of which are driven by dynamic cellular microtubules.

Comparison of Full-Field Digital Mammography with Synthesized Mammography from Tomosynthesis in a Diagnostic population: Prospective Study.

 Synthesized mammography (SM) refers to two-dimensional (2D) images derived from the digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) data. It can reduce the radiation dose and scan duration when compared with conventional full-field digital mammography (FFDM) plus tomosynthesis.  To compare the diagnostic performance of 2D FFDM with synthetic mammograms obtained from DBT in a diagnostic population.

Scalp and Forehead Reconstruction following Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

For proper reconstruction of scalp and forehead defects following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), knowledge of the unique anatomy and aesthetic importance of these structures is necessary to restore function and appearance. However, the inflexibility, convexity, and hair-bearing nature of the scalp and forehead can make reconstruction challenging. Detailed planning and precise management are essential to achieve adequate reconstructive results.

Ear Reconstruction following Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Relative to other regions of the body, the ear has a high risk of developing cutaneous malignancies that often necessitate Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for removal. This procedure can create defects that are immediately noticeable if left untreated. Reconstructive techniques are often needed to restore the appearance of the affected ear and its symmetrical relationship to the contralateral ear.

SON-1010: an albumin-binding IL-12 fusion protein that improves cytokine half-life, targets tumors, and enhances therapeutic efficacy.

Background: Cytokines have been promising cancer immunotherapeutics for decades, yet only two are licensed to date. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent regulator of cell-mediated immunity that activates NK cells and interferon-γ (IFNγ) production. It plays a central role in multiple pathways that can enhance cancer cell death and modify the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Optic nerve sheath enhancement on orbital MRI in giant cell arteritis.

Background: Differentiating arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (A-AION) due to giant cell arteritis (GCA) from non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) may pose a diagnostic challenge. Our study aimed to assess the use of standard orbital MRI in distinguishing ocular manifestations of GCA from NA-AION.

Methods: This study included 25 consecutive patients (11 GCA, 14 NA-AION) who underwent contrast-enhanced orbital MRIs within 3 months of symptom onset.