Vitamin D Receptor and Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Advanced Gallbladder Cancer: A Prospective Study from Northern India.

Background: The proposed role of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) in various cancers underscores the importance of vitamin D compounds as a novel therapeutic agent in the prevention of occurrence and progression of cancer. Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) expression in gallbladder cancer (GBC) has not been widely analyzed yet. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study VDR expression and the role of vitamin D supplementation during palliative chemotherapy in advanced GBC.

Validation of the Brandwein Gensler Risk Model in Patients of Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma in North India.

India has one of the highest incidences of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), with 75,000-80,000 new cases a year. The outcome in early oral cancer is better, but a significant proportion (12-14%) of these patients still relapses and dies due to locoregional or distant recurrences. Several clinicopathological and molecular factors have been used to prognosticate and predict outcomes in these patients of OSCC.

Diagnosis and Management of Anomalous Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery in an Asymptomatic Infant.

Anomalous origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is a rare variant of anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. We report on a seemingly asymptomatic patient with ALADCAPA and a small restrictive muscular ventricular septal defect diagnosed by echocardiogram in the neonatal period. Our patient underwent elective repair at 3.

Myocardial velocity, intra-, and interventricular dyssynchrony evaluated by tissue phase mapping in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

Background: Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is the standard method for detecting allograft rejection in pediatric heart transplants (Htx). As EMB is invasive and carries a risk of complications, there is a need for a noninvasive alternative for allograft monitoring.

Purpose: To quantify left and right ventricular (LV & RV) peak velocities, velocity twist, and intra-/interventricular dyssynchrony using tissue phase mapping (TPM) in pediatric Htx compared with controls, and to explore the relationship between global cardiac function parameters and the number of rejection episodes to these velocities and intra-/interventricular dyssynchrony.

Video intervention for the psychiatric waiting room: proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial of RESOLVE (Relaxation Exercise, SOLVing problem and cognitive Errors).

Background: The waiting room in psychiatric services can provide an ideal setting for offering evidence-based psychological interventions that can be delivered through electronic media. Currently, there is no intervention available that have been developed or tested in mental health.

Aims: This proof-of-concept study aimed to evaluate a pilot design of RESOLVE (Relaxation Exercise, SOLving problem and cognitiVe Errors) to test the procedure and obtain outcome data to inform future, definitive trials (trial registration at Clinicaltrials.

Altered 4-D magnetic resonance imaging flow characteristics in complex congenital aortic arch repair.

Background: Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare but severe congenital abnormality often associated with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Complex re-interventions are often needed despite surgical advances, but the impact of aortic hemodynamics in repaired patients is unknown.

Objective: Investigate effect of IAA repairs on aortic hemodynamics, wall shear stress and flow derangements via 4-D flow MRI.

Vitamin D level and its determinants among Sudanese Women: Does it matter in a sunshine African Country?

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide concern. The aim of the current study was to determine the vitamin D level and its contributing factors in Sudanese women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 251 Sudanese women attending Family Health Centers in Khartoum, Sudan were interviewed.

Effect of physical activity on severity of primary angle closure glaucoma.

Objective: To determine the association between physical activity and severity of primary angle closure glaucoma in Malay patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 150 primary angle closure glaucoma patients between April 2014 and August 2016. Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the physical activity status was assessed and divided into three categories: mild, moderate and heavy physical activity.

ROS-1 re-arrangements and c-MET amplifications in adenocarcinoma lung: A tertiary care center study from North India.

Background: C-ros oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS 1) proto-oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS-1) fusions are potent oncogenic drivers and these re-arrangements promote signal transduction programs leading to uninhibited cell survival and proliferation identified in 1-2% of cases of nonsmall-cell lung cancer. Mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand are predominantly involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition and tissue regeneration. The MET amplification and overexpression is oncogenic in 3-7% cases.

Dietary quality and the colonic mucosa-associated gut microbiome in humans.

Background: Despite tremendous interest in modulating the microbiome to improve health, the association between diet and the colonic mucosa-associated gut microbiome in healthy individuals has not been examined.

Objective: To investigate the associations between Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005 and the colonic mucosa-associated microbiota.

Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, we analyzed bacterial community composition and structure using 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) sequencing of 97 colonic mucosal biopsies obtained endoscopically from different colon segments of 34 polyp-free participants.

Glycopyrrolate in comparison to hyoscine hydrobromide and placebo in the treatment of hypersalivation induced by clozapine (GOTHIC1): a feasibility study.

Background: Clozapine-induced hypersalivation (CIH) is a common side effect of clozapine treatment and is disliked by clozapine patients, potentially threatening adherence to clozapine treatment. We proposed a trial of alternative medications, hyoscine and glycopyrrolate, for the treatment of CIH and the primary objective of the feasibility study was to assess the recruitment and retention of community clozapine patients as well as assess the metrics of the primary hypersalivation measure.

Methods: This 11-month trial took place in two NHS trusts in northwest UK.

Serum vitamin D level, sun-exposed area, dietary factors, and physical activity as predictors of invasive breast cancer risk among Sudanese women: A case-control study.

Background: The role of vitamin D in the development, progression, and prognosis of breast cancer, though widely studied worldwide, has been inconclusive. This study intended to assess the role of some factors (including serum vitamin D level, sun-exposed area, dietary factors, and physical activity) as predictors of the development of invasive breast cancer (IBC) among Sudanese women.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 200 Sudanese women (100 with newly diagnosed IBC and 100 matched healthy females).

Bougainvillea flower extract mediated zinc oxide's nanomaterials for antimicrobial and anticancer activity.

The zinc oxide nanomaterials (ZnO-NMs), owing to their broad biomedical applications have lately attracted the incredible interest in the development of therapeutic agents against microbial infections. In this contribution, we have biosynthesized ZnO-NMs with a size of ˜ 40 nm from the Bougainvillea flower extracts. The FTIR and SEM-EDX mapping analysis confirmed the size, shape and biogenic origin of ZnO-NPs.

Copper(II) generates ROS and RNS, impairs antioxidant system and damages membrane and DNA in human blood cells.

Copper (Cu) is widely used in various industries, and human exposure to this metal results in severe multi-organ toxicity, which is thought to be due to the generation of free radicals by Fenton-like reaction. The generation of reactive oxygen as well as nitrogen species and free radicals results in induction of oxidative stress in the cell. We have studied the effect of different concentrations of Cu(II) on human erythrocytes and lymphocytes.

Lifetime vibration dose correlates with severity of the neurological component of hand-arm vibration syndrome among tyre shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia.

. Cumulative lifetime exposure to vibration is believed to contribute to more severe complications of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). .

Depression and congestive heart failure: A large prospective cohort study from Pakistan.

Objectives: Evidence demonstrates the detrimental impact of depression in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), however, large-scale prospective data from Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) is limited. We assessed the prevalence of depression in a large sample with CHF from Karachi, Pakistan, and the impact of depression on all-cause mortality, disability and health-related quality of life (QoL).

Methods: 1009 patients diagnosed with CHF were recruited from public hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan.

Dietary Nutrients Involved in One-Carbon Metabolism and Colonic Mucosa-Associated Gut Microbiome in Individuals with an Endoscopically Normal Colon.

One carbon (1C) metabolism nutrients influence epigenetic regulation and they are supplied by diet and synthesized by gut microbiota. We examined the association between dietary consumption of methyl donors (methionine, betaine and choline) and B vitamins (folate, B2, B6, and B12) and the community composition and structure of the colonic mucosa-associated gut microbiota determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing in 97 colonic biopsies of 35 men. We used the food frequency questionnaire to assess daily consumption of nutrients, and the UPARSE and SILVA databases for operational taxonomic unit classification.

Demographic and psychosocial characteristics of self-harm: The Pakistan perspective.

Self-harm is a major public health issue in Pakistan, yet the characteristics of those who self-harm are under-explored. This is a secondary analysis from a large randomized control trial on the prevention of self-harm, exploring demographic, clinical and psychological characteristics of people who self-harm in Pakistan. A total of 221 participants with a history of self-harm were recruited from medical wards of three major hospitals in Karachi.

Adjunctive simvastatin for treatment-resistant depression: study protocol of a 12-week randomised controlled trial.

Background: A third of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Relatively few pharmacological agents have established efficacy for TRD. Therefore, the evaluation of novel treatments for TRD is a pressing priority.

A Comparative Study of Cell Block versus Biopsy for Detection of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Rearrangement in Adenocarcinoma Lung.

Background: Lung cancer is a leading cause of deaths attributed to cancer worldwide. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement are commonly found in patients of adenocarcinoma lung against, which targeted therapy is available. In this era of personalized medicine, it is a rationale to detect these molecular alterations in cases of lung carcinomas.

Cytomorphological Features of Lung Adenocarcinoma with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Gene Rearrangement.

Background: The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement is a predictive and prognostic marker in pulmonary adenocarcinoma. A series of clinical and pathological features have been documented in patients who harbor this translocation.

Aims: The objectives of this study were to analyze the specific cytomorphological features of lung adenocarcinoma that harbored the ALK gene rearrangement and to compare the morphological features with the mutation-negative cases.

Systolic/diastolic ratio correlates with end diastolic pressures in pediatric patients with single right ventricles.

Background: Increased ventricular end-diastolic pressure (VEDP) is a known risk factor for morbidity and mortality in patients with single right ventricle (RV) physiology. Previous studies have shown mixed results correlating echocardiographic measurements with catheter-derived VEDP in this population. Goal of this study was to evaluate if echocardiographic systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) correlated with VEDP.