Psoriasis does not worsen outcomes in patients admitted for ischemic stroke: an analysis of the National Inpatient Sample.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory state associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, stroke, and mortality. Although psoriasis increases the risk of ischemic stroke, whether outcomes, including mortality, are adversely affected is unknown.This study aims to compare inpatient mortality of patients admitted for ischemic stroke with and without psoriasis.

Identification and Characterization of Mortaparib-A Novel Triazole Derivative That Targets Mortalin-p53 Interaction and Inhibits Cancer-Cell Proliferation by Wild-Type p53-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms.

p53 has an essential role in suppressing the carcinogenesis process by inducing cell cycle arrest/apoptosis/senescence. Mortalin/GRP75 is a member of the Hsp70 protein family that binds to p53 causing its sequestration in the cell cytoplasm. Hence, p53 cannot translocate to the nucleus to execute its canonical tumour suppression function as a transcription factor.

Cutaneous adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: incidence and types of reactive dermatoses.

Background: Dermatoses are common and potentially serious complications of programmed cell death receptor PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD-1 ICI) therapy. Understanding their incidence is necessary to support clinical awareness, diagnosis, and management.

Objective: To examine the incidence and odds of reported non-cancerous dermatoses in the setting of anti-PD-1 ICI therapy.

Effect of Parental Employment and Family Status (Nuclear-Joint) on the Child's Oral Health in Jammu Population: A Cross-sectional Study.

Unlabelled: This study was conducted to assess or evaluate the influence of parental employment on the child's oral and dental health.

Aims And Objectives: This study aims to assess the repercussions of working parents in Jammu belonging to nuclear and joint families on the oral and dental health of children aged 2-14.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which a total of 1,848 children were examined from March 01, 2012, to February 28, 2014, who came to seek treatment in the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Indira Gandhi Govt.

Umbilical Fascial Defects are Common and Predict Trocar Site Hernias After Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

Introduction: Investigations have demonstrated that trocar site hernia (TSH) is an under-appreciated complication of laparoscopic surgery, occurring in as many as 31%. We determined the incidence of fascial defects prior to laparoscopic appendectomy and its impact relative to other risk factors upon the development of TSH.

Methods: TSH was defined as a fascial separation of ≥ 1 cm in the abdominal wall umbilical region on abdominal computerized tomography scan (CT) following laparoscopic appendectomy.

Gastric cancer in Jammu and Kashmir, India: A review of genetic perspectives.

Gastric Carcinoma (GC) is one of the most common malignancies, which accounts for 6.8% of total cancer population worldwide. In India, the northeastern region has the highest gastric cancer incidence, and the Kashmir Valley has a very high incidence of gastric cancer as compared to other parts of Northern India.

Computational Insights into the Potential of Withaferin-A, Withanone and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester for Treatment of Aberrant-EGFR Driven Lung Cancers.

The anticancer activities of Withaferin-A (Wi-A) and Withanone (Wi-N) from Ashwagandha and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) from honeybee propolis have been well documented. Here, we examined the binding potential of these natural compounds to inhibit the constitutive phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). Exon 20 insertion mutants of EGFR, which show resistance to various FDA approved drugs and are linked to poor prognosis of lung cancer patients, were the primary focus of this study.

Molecular dynamics simulations and experimental studies reveal differential permeability of withaferin-A and withanone across the model cell membrane.

Poor bioavailability due to the inability to cross the cell membrane is one of the major reasons for the failure of a drug in clinical trials. We have used molecular dynamics simulations to predict the membrane permeability of natural drugs-withanolides (withaferin-A and withanone) that have similar structures but remarkably differ in their cytotoxicity. We found that whereas withaferin-A, could proficiently transverse through the model membrane, withanone showed weak permeability.

Increased usage of smartphones during COVID-19: Is that blue light causing skin damage?

Recent reports across the world indicate a tremendous increase in smartphone usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increased use is understandable given the unique international strategies put in place to reduce viral transmission, such as "lockdown" and "work from home". People are keeping themselves busy by browsing the Internet, using social media, watching tele-programs, playing games, chatting with friends and/or family, shopping online, etc With increased usage of smartphones, people are getting increased exposure of blue light.

Using a mobile nurse mentoring and training program to address a health workforce capacity crisis in Bihar, India: Impact on essential intrapartum and newborn care practices.

Background: To address a health workforce capacity crisis, in coordination with the Government of Bihar, CARE India implemented an on-the-job, on-site nurse mentoring and training intervention named - (AMANAT, translated Emergency Maternal and Neonatal Care Preparedness) - in public facilities in Bihar. AMANAT was rolled-out in a phased manner to provide hands-on training and mentoring for nurses and doctors offering emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) services. This study examines the impact of the AMANAT intervention on nurse-mentees' competency to provide such services in Bihar, India during 2015-2017.

Statewide implementation of a quality improvement initiative for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health and nutritionin Bihar, India.

Background: CARE India designed and implemented a comprehensive, statewide quality improvement (QI) initiative to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (RMNCHN) services in public facilities in Bihar. We provide a description of this initiative and its key results during 2014-2017.

Methods: We reviewed program documents to identify QI strategies employed and ascertain their coverage.

Validation of Indian Council of Medical Research Neurocognitive Tool Box in Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment in India: Lessons from a Harmonization Process in a Linguistically Diverse Society.

Background/aims: In a linguistically diverse country such as India, challenges remain with regard to diagnosis of early cognitive decline among the elderly, with no prior attempts made to simultaneously validate a comprehensive battery of tests across domains in multiple languages. This study aimed to determine the utility of the Indian Council of Medical Research-Neurocognitive Tool Box (ICMR-NCTB) in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and its vascular subtype (VaMCI) in 5 Indian languages.

Methods: Literate subjects from 5 centers across the country were recruited using a uniform process, and all subjects were classified based on clinical evaluations and a gold standard test protocol into normal cognition, MCI, and VaMCI.

Evaluation of mineral loss in primary and permanent human enamel samples subjected to chemical demineralization by international caries detection and assessment system II and quantitative light-induced fluorescence™: An study.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to understand the mineral loss in primary and permanent enamel samples and an attempt is made to standardize the process of chemical demineralization to generate more meaningful results in research studies involving the remineralization of demineralized samples.

Materials And Methods: Due to variability among enamel samples theoretically, it is impossible to standardize demineralization by running time-based chemical demineralization cycle without frequent monitoring. Instead of carrying out demineralization cycles for a fixed duration of time, we quantified the mineral loss 24 hourly using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence System (QLF™).

Development and Preliminary Clinical Activity of PD-1-Guided CTLA-4 Blocking Bispecific DART Molecule.

Combination immunotherapy with antibodies directed against PD-1 and CTLA-4 shows improved clinical benefit across cancer indications compared to single agents, albeit with increased toxicity. Leveraging the observation that PD-1 and CTLA-4 are co-expressed by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, an investigational PD-1 x CTLA-4 bispecific DART molecule, MGD019, is engineered to maximize checkpoint blockade in the tumor microenvironment via enhanced CTLA-4 blockade in a PD-1-binding-dependent manner. , MGD019 mediates the combinatorial blockade of PD-1 and CTLA-4, confirming dual inhibition via a single molecule.

Delayed Processing of Secretin-Induced Pancreas Fluid Influences the Quality and Integrity of Proteins and Nucleic Acids.

Objectives: Endoscopic pancreatic function tests are used to diagnose pancreatic diseases and are a viable source for the discovery of biomarkers to better characterize pancreatic disorders. However, pancreatic fluid (PF) contains active enzymes that degrade biomolecules. Therefore, we tested how preservation methods and time to storage influence the integrity and quality of proteins and nucleic acids.

Gout Pharmacotherapy in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review of Utility and Outcomes.

Hyperuricemia and gout have been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease, stroke, hypertension, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, possibly through a proinflammatory milieu. However, not all the drugs used in gout treatment improve CV outcomes; colchicine has shown improved CV outcomes in patients with recent myocardial infarction and stable coronary artery disease independent of lipid-lowering effects. There is resurging interest in colchicine following publication of the COLCOT, LoDoCo, LoDoCo2, LoDoCo-MI trials, and COLCORONA trial which will shed light on its utility in COVID-19.

Liver Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase-1 Downregulation via siRNA-Functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanosheets Restores Glucose Homeostasis in a Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Model.

Metabolic disorders have been increasing at an alarming rate, and one such example of metabolic disorder is type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Unregulated gluconeogenesis in T2DM results in increased hepatic glucose output that causes fasting and postprandial hyperglycaemia. Extensive proofs have shown that the downregulation of the key rate-limiting enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-1 (PCK-1) of gluconeogenesis improved glucose homeostasis .

A Screening Tool to Detect Stroke Aphasia: Adaptation of Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test (FAST) to the Indian Context.

Background: Aphasia is a common consequence of stroke. To optimize recovery, it becomes critical as there are early identification and treatment of language deficits. The rising burden of stroke aphasia and lack of screening tools in the Indian context necessitates the need for a screening tool.

Identification of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) as a Potent Neurodifferentiating Natural Compound That Improves Cognitive and Physiological Functions in Animal Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Cell-based screening of bioactive compounds has served as an important gateway in drug discovery. In the present report, using human neuroblastoma cells and enrolling an extensive three-step screening of 57 phytochemicals, we have identified caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) as a potent neurodifferentiating natural compound. Analyses of control and CAPE-induced neurodifferentiated cells revealed: (i) modulation of several key proteins (NF200, MAP-2, NeuN, PSD95, Tuj1, GAP43, and GFAP) involved in neurodifferentiation process; and (ii) attenuation of neuronal stemness (HOXD13, WNT3, and Msh-2) and proliferation-promoting (CDC-20, CDK-7, and BubR1) proteins.

Quantification of microbubble-induced sonothrombolysis in an ex vivo non-human primate model.

Background: In vitro studies with ultrasound (US) and microbubbles (MB) have reported that sono-thrombolysis can be achieved at high peak rarefactional acoustic pressure amplitudes (PRAPAs) using 0.25 and 1.05 MHz US frequencies.

Benefit-Risk Tradeoffs in Assessment of New Drugs and Devices.

Balancing benefits and risks is a complex task that poses a major challenge, both to the approval of new medicines and devices by regulatory authorities and in therapeutic decision-making in practice. Several analysis methods and visualization tools have been developed to help evaluate and communicate whether the benefit-risk profile is favorable or unfavorable. In this White Paper, we describe approaches to benefit-risk assessment using qualitative approaches such as the Benefit Risk Action Team framework developed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and the Benefit-Risk Framework developed by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and quantitative approaches such as the numbers needed to treat for benefit and harm, the benefit-risk ratio, and Incremental Net Benefit.