Mapping cognitive dysfunction in relapsing multiple sclerosis with mild disability: A cross-sectional study from South India.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) occurs early. Locally adapted neuropsychological data from India in MS is scarce.

Objectives: We aimed to identify the pattern of cognitive impairment in relapsing MS (RMS) with mild disability using a regionally-adapted MS-specific cognitive battery.

Diagnostic accuracy of carotid plaque magnetic resonance imaging compared to histopathology in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Introduction: Vulnerable plaques have been shown to predict ipsilateral cerebral ischemic events and identifying them leads to appropriate secondary stroke prevention strategies. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of MR carotid plaque imaging in identifying plaque vulnerability when compared with histopathological findings in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Methods: A prospective cohort of forty-five consecutive patients with moderate to severe symptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent CEA at a tertiary Indian hospital had 3 T MRI plaque imaging with multi-parametric protocol between November 2021 and December 2022.

Experiences and challenges of people living with multiple long-term conditions in managing their care in primary care settings in Kerala, India: A qualitative study.

Background: Multimorbidity or multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions within an individual, presents a growing concern for healthcare systems and individuals' well-being. However, we know little about the experiences of those living with MLTCs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India. We explore how people living with MLTCs describe their illness, their engagements with healthcare services, and challenges they face within primary care settings in Kerala, India.

Breast screening practices of 35-65 years old women - A cross-sectional survey in Alappuzha, Kerala, India.

Background: Enhancing cancer literacy, promoting early detection, and avoiding treatment delays are essential for reducing breast cancer mortality and ensuring a good quality of life among women in less developed countries. The present paper describes the breast screening practices of women in the Alappuzha district of Kerala state, India.

Materials And Methods: A multi-stage cluster sampling method was used to select study participants.

Awareness of risk factors, symptoms and screening of breast cancer: A cross-sectional survey among 35-65-year-old women in Alappuzha district, Kerala, India.

Background: Breast cancer awareness is vital to enhance early detection and treatment, thus improving women's quality of life and reducing the breast cancer burden in a country. This paper describes breast cancer awareness among women in the Alappuzha district, Kerala.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 320 women aged 35-65 using a multi-stage cluster-sampling method.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of primary lung cancer patients in Kerala: Analysis of data from six teaching centers.

Background: Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women. A breakdown by level of economic development shows no differences in cancer deaths in men but a higher rate of lung cancer deaths in women in industrialized countries as compared with developing nations. The risk factors for lung cancer most commonly include lifestyle, environmental, and occupational exposures.

Natural history of coronary stents: 14 year follow-up of drug eluting stents versus bare metal stents.

Background: Several randomized trials have shown the effectiveness of drug-eluting stents (DES) over bare metal stents (BMS) in terms of repeat revascularization at 1 year; however long term data in this context is conflicting.

Aim: To assess the long term clinical outcomes after coronary artery stenting with drug-eluting stents and bare metal stents.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study, including 100 consecutive patients with Coronary Artery Disease who underwent successful percutaneous intervention (PCI) with implantation of DES and contemporary 100 patients who underwent PCI with implantation of BMS in the years 2005 and 2006 at our center.

27-Hydroxycholesterol represses G9a expression via oestrogen receptor alpha in breast cancer.

27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) is a cholesterol metabolite and the first discovered endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that has been shown to have proliferative and metastatic activity in breast cancer. However, whether 27-HC metabolite modulates the epigenetic signatures in breast cancer and its progression remains unclear. The current study, reports that 27-HC represses the expression of euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase G9a, further reducing di-methylation at H3K9 in a subset of genes.

Quantitative susceptibility mapping from basal ganglia and related structures: correlation with disease severity in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Objective: We examined whether mean magnetic susceptibility values from deep gray matter structures in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) differed from those in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy volunteers, and correlated with the PSP rating scale.

Methods: Head of caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, substantia nigra and red nucleus were the regions of interest. Mean susceptibility values from these regions in PSP patients were estimated using quantitative susceptibility mapping.

Status of cancer screening in India: An alarm signal from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).

Background: Cancer is often detected much later to its onset, resulting in poor prognosis. This makes cancer the second most common cause of death globally. Looking for cancers much before any symptoms occur is termed "cancer screening" and is a powerful strategy for prevention, early diagnosis, and better management of several cancers.

Effectiveness and implementation of a lifestyle modification intervention for women with isolated impaired fasting glucose: Study protocol for a hybrid type 2 study in Kerala, India.

Isolated impaired fasting glucose (i-IFG) constitutes a major group in the prediabetic spectrum among Indians, and thus it is imperative to identify effective diabetes prevention strategies. This study aims to evaluate the effects of an intensive community-based lifestyle modification program on regression to normoglycemia among women with i-IFG, compared to a control group at 24 months. The study also aims to evaluate the implementation of the intervention, via both process and implementation outcomes.

The Impact of Time to Reperfusion on Recanalization Rates and Outcome After Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Single Center Experience.

Background: Timely and effective recanalization to salvage the penumbra is the main determinant of outcome in acute ischemic strokes. Randomized controlled trials on late window mechanical thrombectomy (MT) have proved its safety and efficacy upto 24 h after stroke onset. We looked at the impact of time to reperfusion on vessel recanalization rates and short-term outcome in patients undergoing MT for large vessel occlusion.

Hypertension control in Kerala, India: A prescription-based study at primary and secondary level health care institutions.

Objective: We undertook a prescription-based study to identify the provider and institution-level factors related to achieving guideline-recommended control of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in Kerala, India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study in primary and secondary care hospitals in Kerala included both public and private institutions. One practitioner was selected from each institution.

Contraception for married adolescents (15-19 years) in India: insights from the National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4).

Purpose: Despite the fact that marriage below the age of 18 years is illegal in India, a considerable number of females get married and start childbearing during their adolescent years. There is low prevalence of contraceptive methods and high unmet need for family planning (FP). Realizing this, new government programs have been launched to increase the uptake of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents.

Consumption of fruits, vegetables and salt in the context of control of type 2 diabetes and hypertension in Kerala, India.

Background: Proper diet is necessary to control hypertension and diabetes. This paper describes the combined fruit and vegetable, and salt intake of adults (>=18 years) who were detected to have hypertension or diabetes.

Methods: We analysed the data from a state-wide survey of 12012 adults using the World Health Organization STEPs for NCD risk factor surveillance.

A Comparative Study of Invasive Modalities for Evaluation of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistula after Bidirectional Glenn Shunt.

Development of pulmonary AV fistula (PAVF) after bidirectional glenn shunt (BDG) results in significant cyanosis, impaired exercise performance, and increased morbidity and mortality. We attempted to detect and quantify PAVF in post-BDG patients by saline contrast transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and compare with pulmonary angiography and pulmonary vein oximetry. This was a prospective study done between 2017 and 2018.

Challenges of health promotion and education strategies to prevent cervical cancer in India: A systematic review.

Background: Although there is a reduction in cervical cancer incidence over the years, it keeps the second position of the most common cancers among females in India. The aim of this review is to understand the challenges of health promotion and education strategies to prevent cervical cancer in India.

Materials And Methods: This review is based on 78 studies published during 1993-2017 on the topics of awareness, attitude, and acceptance toward cervical cancer, screening, and human papilloma virus vaccination among Indians.

Prevalence of risk factors of non-communicable diseases in Kerala, India: results of a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in Kerala.

Design: A community-based, cross-sectional survey.

Participants: In 2016-2017 a multistage, cluster sample of 12 012 (aged 18-69 years) participants from all 14 districts of Kerala were studied.

Asymptomatic Hearing Impairment Frequently Occurs in Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease.

Objective: Recent reports of hearing impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) have suggested that auditory dysfunction could be a non-motor manifestation of PD. These reports were based on observations of elderly patients for whom presbycusis may, to some extent, have contributed to hearing dysfunction. Therefore, we aimed to explore the auditory functions in younger patients with PD.

Young women's attitude toward gender-equitable norms on domestic chores and violence domains in Trivandrum.

Background: Trivandrum is a place with better educational status for women. The aim of this study is to describe young women's attitude toward gender-equitable norms.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Trivandrum, using multistage cluster sampling method.

Regulation of CNKSR2 protein stability by the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase Smurf2, and its role in breast cancer progression.

Background: Smurf2 E3 ubiquitin ligase physically associates with and regulate the stability of distinct cellular protein substrates. The multi-functional scaffold protein Connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of ras 2 (CNKSR2) plays a key role in regulating cell proliferation, and differentiation through multiple receptor tyrosine kinase pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the interaction between Smurf2 and CNKSR2 has any significant role in the post transcriptional regulation of CNKSR2 expression in breast cancer.