Telomere length sensitive regulation of interleukin receptor 1 type 1 (IL1R1) by the shelterin protein TRF2 modulates immune signalling in the tumour microenvironment.

Telomeres are crucial for cancer progression. Immune signalling in the tumour microenvironment has been shown to be very important in cancer prognosis. However, the mechanisms by which telomeres might affect tumour immune response remain poorly understood.

Prevalence and Patterns of Polysubstance Use (Tobacco and Other Substances) and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in a High-Risk Cohort for Oral Cancer in Varanasi, India, with a Special Focus on Young Emerging Adults.

Introduction: The dearth of population-based data on polysubstance use, especially in young emerging adults, presents a critical gap in understanding public health challenges, particularly in rural India, where tobacco and oral cancer are prevalent. This study addresses this gap by investigating the prevalence and patterns of substance use, with a focus on young emerging adults (18-29 years) within a high-risk cohort for oral cancer in Varanasi, India.

Methods: The study involved a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 10,101 participants within a high-risk cohort in rural settings of the Varanasi district between December 2020-June 2023.

Systemic sclerosis-related fecal incontinence: a scoping review focusing on a neglected manifestation.

Objectives: This scoping-review sought to summarize the current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and the investigations that may help characterize faecal incontinence (FI) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: The planned scoping review was based on the methodological framework proposed by Arksey & O'Malley.Two databases were screened: PubMed (Medline), (webofSciences), data extraction was performed using a predefined template.

How do children understand and respond to the EQ-5D-Y-3L? A mixed methods study in a community-based sample of 6-12-year-olds.

Background: The EQ-5D-Y-3L is widely used for measuring and valuing HRQoL in paediatric populations. This mixed methods study used the EQ-5D-Y-3L measure and applied a retrospective think-aloud approach to examine the self-report validity in children of varying chronological age.

Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted in a community-based sample of 39 children aged 6-12 years.

A Phase II study of avenciguat, a novel soluble guanylate cyclase activator, in patients with systemic sclerosis: Study design and rationale of the VITALISScE™ study.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease characterised by (1) microvasculopathy; (2) immune dysregulation; and (3) progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Soluble guanylate cyclase plays an important role in maintaining vascular and immunological homeostasis and preventing organ fibrosis. Pharmacological modulation of soluble guanylate cyclase with soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators has shown anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in animal models of systemic sclerosis, with a trend towards clinical efficacy in a Phase II study (RISE-SSc).

Design of CONQUEST, a novel, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 2b platform clinical trial to investigate new treatments for patients with early active systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease.

Objective: Safe, effective therapies are urgently needed for patients with systemic sclerosis. However, clinical trial recruitment is challenging given the limited number of people with systemic sclerosis and further restrictions imposed by eligibility criteria. Innovative approaches are needed to accelerate development of new therapies.

Peer mentoring program through a digital platform for people with systemic sclerosis: A feasibility study.

Objective: People with systemic sclerosis (SSc or scleroderma), a rare chronic autoimmune disease, often face significant physical and emotional challenges. Peer mentoring, where someone with similar lived experiences offers guidance and support, shows promise in enhancing the well-being of recipients and may benefit individuals with systemic sclerosis. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential health effects of peer mentoring through a digital platform for people with systemic sclerosis.

Dosimetric Impact of Prescription Point Placement in Heterogeneous Medium for Conformal Radiotherapy Dose Calculation with Various Algorithms.

Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the accuracy of dose calculation for different dose calculation algorithms with different prescription points (air, tissue, air-tissue interface in carcinoma lung patients and bone, tissue, and bone-tissue interface in carcinoma buccal Mucosa tumors).

Materials And Methods: Forty-one patients with carcinoma lung and buccal mucosa were retrospectively selected for this study. A three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy reference plan was created using the prescription point in the tissue with Monte Carlo (MC) algorithms for both the groups of patients.

A modified Delphi exercise in physician-perceived risk factors for drug-induced pneumotoxicity in patients with rheumatological disease.

Background: Drugs used to treat rheumatic disease are associated with pneumotoxicity (drug-induced lung disease), but little is known about associated risk factors.

Aim: To determine expert physician-perceived risk factors for developing pneumotoxicity in patients with rheumatologic conditions.

Methods: A modified international 3-tier Delphi exercise was performed.

A pilot trial of integrating the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) into rheumatology care.

Objectives: Utilising Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) questionnaires can enhance clinical care by measuring longitudinal changes in symptom severity as reported by the patient. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and impact of incorporating PROMIS® questionnaires at the point-of-care in rheumatology practice.

Methods: Patients with rheumatic diseases and decrements in ≥1 PROMIS® domain (pain intensity, physical function, or sleep disturbance) were stratified by their concerning domain, then randomised to either receive an interpretation of their PROMIS® scores prior to their rheumatology appointment (Arm 1) or to usual care (Arm 2) (ClinicalTrials.

Prevalence of Oral Potentially Malignant Lesions, Tobacco use, and Effect of Cessation Strategies among Solid Waste Management workers in Northern India: a pre-post intervention study.

Background: India bears the highest global burden of oral cancer, despite having an operational tobacco cessation framework. Occupational groups like solid waste management personnel face significant health challenges due to prevalent tobacco use, leading to oral potentially malignant lesions and oral cancer. Enhanced tobacco control strategies are essential for these groups.

Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: How to manage in 2024?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) or scleroderma is an autoimmune disease characterized by immune dysregulation which leads to progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is present in approximately 65% of patients with SSc and it accounts for approximately 40% of all SSc deaths. Risk factors associated with the development of systemic sclerosis related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) include male sex, African heritage, high modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), presence of anti-Scl-70/Topoisomerase I antibodies, and nucleolar pattern on antinuclear antibody (ANA).

Cancer screening uptake by women from India's largest state Uttar Pradesh: district-wise analysis from the fifth round of National Family Health Survey (2019-2021).

The Government of India (GOI) has launched a nationwide cervical, breast and oral cancer prevention and control program. However, the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), a nationwide survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), GOI, has shown concerning results on screening uptake by both men and women across India. This study was conducted to describe the uptake of cancer screening by women residing in Uttar Pradesh (UP), the largest state of India.

Inhibiting triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 signaling to ameliorate skin fibrosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by immune system failure, vascular insult, autoimmunity, and tissue fibrosis. TGF-β is a crucial mediator of persistent myofibroblast activation and aberrant extracellular matrix production in SSc. The factors responsible for this are unknown.

A scoping review on the errors in medical certification of the cause of death in India.

Medical certification of the cause of death provides epidemiological information for developing cause-specific mortality and disease trends, guiding the monitoring of health programmes and allocating health resources. Therefore, providing correct information on the cause of death is essential. This study describes the errors in medical certification of the cause of death in India.

Clinical breast examination: A screening tool for lower- and middle-income countries.

Breast cancer (BC) remains a global health challenge, devastatingly impacting women's lives. Low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC), such as India, experience a concerning upward trend in BC incidence, necessitating the implementation of cost-effective screening methods. While mammography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging are preferred screening modalities in resource-rich settings, limited resources in LMICs make clinical breast examination (CBE) the method of choice.

Effect of Socialization on Alzheimer's Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Age is the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disease where beta-amyloid plaques accumulate in the brain. Elderly individuals, especially those in nursing homes, were burdened by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this literature review is to describe the effectiveness of social engagement and how combating isolation can have a neuroprotective effect on individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Innovative cell therapies for systemic sclerosis: available evidence and new perspectives.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is the rheumatic disease with the highest individual mortality rate with a detrimental impact on quality of life. Cell-based therapies may offer new perspectives for this disease as recent phase I trials support the safety of IV infusion of allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells in SSc and case reports highlight the potential use of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting CD19 in active SSc patients who have not responded to conventional immunosuppressive therapies.

Areas Covered: This narrative review highlights the most recent evidence supporting the use of cellular therapies in SSc as well as their potential mechanisms of action and discusses future perspectives for cell-based therapies in SSc.

Definition, classification and diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a haemodynamic condition characterised by elevation of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) >20 mmHg, assessed by right heart catheterisation. Pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) distinguish pre-capillary PH (PAWP ≤15 mmHg, PVR >2 Wood Units (WU)), isolated post-capillary PH (PAWP >15 mmHg, PVR ≤2 WU) and combined post- and pre-capillary PH (PAWP >15 mmHg, PVR >2 WU). Exercise PH is a haemodynamic condition describing a normal mPAP at rest with an abnormal increase of mPAP during exercise, defined as a mPAP/cardiac output slope >3 mmHg/L/min between rest and exercise.

A Study on the Effects of Hypothyroidism on the Senses: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

Hypothyroidism has been found to have long-term effects on each of the senses, but with proper treatment, many of them can be significantly minimized. This paper analyzes the research on the impact of hypothyroidism on the senses of smell, taste, hearing, vision, and thermoregulation. Data were collected from the National Library of Medicine, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords "hypothyroidism," "taste," "smell," "vision," "hearing," and "thermoregulation.

Neurological Complications of COVID-19 Infection: A Comprehensive Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic is well on its way to reaching endemic status across the globe. While the medical community's understanding of the respiratory complications induced by COVID-19 is improving, there is still much to be learned about the neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection. This review aimed to compile relevant, available evidence of COVID-19-induced neurological complications and to provide information for each complication regarding symptomology, progression patterns, demographic risk factors, treatment, and causative mechanism of action when available.

A randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study to Determine the effectiveness of the type I interferon receptor antibody, Anifrolumab, In SYstemic sclerosis: DAISY study design and rationale.

Objectives: The type I interferon pathway is a promising target for treatment of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Here, we describe the design of a multinational, randomised phase 3 study to Determine the effectiveness of the type I interferon receptor antibody, Anifrolumab, In SYstemic sclerosis (DAISY).

Methods: DAISY includes a 52-week double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment period, a 52-week open-label active treatment period, and a 12-week safety follow-up period.