Overweight/obesity, pre-diabetes, diabetes and its association with hypertension and other factors among rural adults (≥18 years) in India.

Background: Non-communicable diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted in 10 Indian states using multi-stage random sampling procedures. Information was collected on socio-economic and demographic particulars, anthropometric measurements such as height, weight and waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure was measured.

Topography and Choroidal Thickness Measurement in Healthy Asian Indian Subjects using RTVue XR 100 Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose: The purpose was to study the choroidal thickness and its profile, derived from different point locations in healthy Asian Indian subjects using RTVue XR 100 optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to determine its correlation with age, refractive error, and axial length.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 eyes of 150 healthy subjects, with no ocular pathology, were scanned in a single session, using a line scan protocol of RTVue XR 100 OCT. Choroidal thickness was measured at the subfoveal region, and six measurements were obtained on either side of the fovea (temporal and nasal) at 500 μm interval apart, up to 3000 μm.

Differential Expression of SRY-Related HMG-Box Transcription Factor 2, Oligodendrocyte Lineage Transcription Factor 2, and Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 1 in Serum-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Implications for Mithramycin Sensitivity and Targeted Therapy in High-Grade Glioma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of glioma and is often resistant to traditional therapies. Evidence suggests that glioma stem cells (GSCs) contribute to this resistance. Mithramycin (Mit-A) targets GSCs and exhibits antitumor activity in GBM by affecting transcriptional targets such as SRY-related HMG-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2), oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 (OLIG2), and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1).

Del Nido cardioplegia versus blood cardioplegia in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Purpose: The del Nido cardioplegia (DC) has been extensively used in congenital heart surgery for over two decades and is becoming popular in adult cardiac surgery. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of DC, compared to conventional blood cardioplegia (BC), in adult patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: This metachronous study included a total of 2330 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG.

Exploring urinary extracellular vesicles for organ transplant monitoring: A comprehensive study for detection of allograft dysfunction using immune-specific markers.

Background: Allograft dysfunction (AGD) is a common complication following solid organ transplantation (SOT). This study leverages the potential of urinary extracellular vesicles (UEVs) for the non-invasive detection of AGD.

Aim: We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of T-cell and B-cell markers characteristic of T-cell-mediated and antibody-mediated rejection in UEV-mRNA using renal transplantation as a model.

Assessment of virgin coconut oil in a balanced diet on indicators of cardiovascular health in non-obese volunteers: A human metabolic study.

Background And Aims: Consumption of coconut oil is implicated in cardiovascular disease risk. On the contrary, virgin coconut oil (VCO) is believed to offer better health benefits, however, the evidence to support such claims is lacking, particularly in humans. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the impact of VCO in a balanced diet on HDL-C and some of the anthropometric and biochemical parameters associated with human cardiovascular health before and after the feeding experiment.

Repeatability of Choroidal Thickness Measurements in Healthy Subjects using RTVue XR Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose: To determine the intrasession, intraobserver, interobserver, and repeatability of choroidal thickness measurements in the healthy subjects imaged on enhanced depth imaging system of RTVue XR spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, seventy eyes of 70 healthy volunteers with no known ocular disease were imaged using high-density scanning protocol of RTVue XR OCT. In a single imaging session, three sequential 12 mm macular-enhanced depth horizontal line scans were obtained through the fovea.

Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness Among the Stakeholders of Clinical Research at the Site: A Collaborative, Electronic-Survey Approach to Identify the Indicators of Quality.

Background: There has been a concern about the quality of clinical trials conducted in terms of data integrity, accuracy or ethical conduct. This study aimed to assess the tangible gap existing in knowledge and application of rules and guidelines among the Researcher, Research staff (RS) and Ethics Committee (EC) members - the three research stakeholders at the study sites.

Methods: A validated e-questionnaire with details for demography, role, years of experience, affiliation and questions on knowledge and understanding about their clinical research functions based on the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules 2019, including: 'Role and responsibility, Regulations, Reporting timelines, Documentation, Conflict of interest and Miscellaneous' was circulated among the seven research sites of one organization with their fourteen Institutional ECs, as part of planned annual survey.

Socio-demographic factors, overweight/obesity and nutrients associated with hypertension among rural adults (≥18 years): Findings from National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau survey.

Background: Hypertension is the leading cause of death throughout the world. The study was conducted to assess the prevalence, determinants and knowledge & practices about hypertension among rural adults in India.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 major states of India.

Energy expenditure in COVID-19 mechanically ventilated patients: A comparison of three methods of energy estimation.

Background: Indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard for measuring resting energy expenditure. Energy expenditure (EE) estimated by ventilator-derived carbon dioxide consumption (EEVCO ) has also been proposed. In the absence of IC, predictive weight-based equations have been recommended to estimate daily energy requirements.

Prevalence and Impact of Preexisting Comorbidities on Overall Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

COVID-19 risk increases with comorbidities, and the effect is magnified due to the contribution of individual and combined comorbidities to the overall clinical outcomes. We aimed to explore the influence of demographic factors, clinical manifestations, and underlying comorbidities on mortality, severity, and hospital stay in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, retrospective chart reviews were performed to identify all laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, between March 2020 and August 2020.

Exosomal PTEN as a Predictive Marker of Aggressive Gliomas.

Background: Liquid biopsies have emerged as convenient alternative diagnostic methods to invasive biopsies, by evaluating disease-specific biomarkers and monitoring the disease risk noninvasively. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a potent tumor suppressor, and its deletion/mutations are common in gliomas.

Objective: Evaluate the feasibility of non-invasive detection of PTEN and its downstream genes in serum exosomes of glioma patients.

Tailoring nutrition therapy amid the COVID-19 pandemic: Does it work?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for nutrition monitoring and delivery. This study evaluates clinical and nutritional characteristics of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and investigates the relationship between nutrition delivery and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Prospective observational study of adults admitted for >24 hrs to a tertiary-care hospital during a period of 2months.

Association Between Nutrition Delivery, Modified Nutrition Risk In Critically III Score, and 28-Day Mortality.

Background: Nutrition delivery, is a key component in the management of critical illness. Traditional scoring systems are inadequate in the intensive care unit (ICU), as patients are sedated. Our study examines the associations between calorie and protein adequacy, 28-day mortality, and modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) score and identify at-risk ICU patients who may benefit more from nutrition intervention.

Guava with an institutional supplementary meal improves iron status of preschoolers: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

The Integrated Child Development Services of India provides Supplementary Nutrition Program (SNP) to preschoolers. Using this platform, the current study examined the impact of diversifying a cereal/pulse-based SNP-meal with guava on iron status and cognitive development among 24-48 months old children. A three-arm, nonblinded, cluster-randomized controlled trial (CTRI/2014/09/004983) included 399 beneficiaries from 28 preschools in 16 villages in Telangana state, India.

Prevalence of Nutritional Anemia and Hyperhomocysteinemia in Urban Elderly.

The data on the prevalence of nutritional anemia among the urban elderly population in India was limited. Hence, the present study was carried out with an aim to assess the prevalence of nutritional anemia and its association with vitamin B12, folate, ferritin and homocystine among the urban elderly population. A community- based cross-sectional study was carried out among 282 urban elderly (≥ 60 years) subjects (186 males and 96 females) in Hyderabad.

Sex-specific role of CYP24A1 rs2762939 in the risk of essential hypertension based on the serum vitamin D and total renin concentrations.

CYP24A1, Vitamin D 24-hydroxylase catabolizes 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D to 24-hydroxylated vitamin D products. It is widely known that low Vitamin D can lead to increased renal renin and angiotensin II production, consequently elevating blood pressure or development of essential hypertension (EH). We have conducted an investigation on hypertensives and controls to evaluate the association of the gene variant, CYP24A1 rs2762939 and 25(OH)D in an Indian population with EH.

A sequential, exploratory, mixed-methods approach for development and validation of a context-specific knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire on micronutrients for literate mothers of school-age children.

Objective: To develop and validate a context-specific comprehensive knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire for literate mothers on factors affecting micronutrient status of 6-10-year-old children.

Design: Sequential exploratory mixed-methods study using focus group discussions (FGD) and psychometric validation.

Setting: Seven randomly selected villages with >500 households with three to five family members each, in Ghatkesar sub-district, Medchal district, Telangana state, India.

Energy Balance Coexists With Disproportionate Macronutrient Consumption Across Pretraining, During Training, and Posttraining Among Indian Junior Soccer Players.

Purpose: To evaluate energy expenditure, energy intake, and nutrient adequacy of Indian junior soccer players.

Method: Forty junior national-level soccer players (Under-12 and Under-16 age groups) were assessed for 3-day weighed food records and 3-day energy expenditure. Energy and nutrient intake was analyzed from food records, and energy expenditure was measured using a portable metabolic analyzer and activity records.

mRNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells based on ADRB1 Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly polymorphisms in essential hypertension - a case-control pilot investigation in South Indian population.

Background: β1-Adrenoreceptor (ADRB1) genetic polymorphisms are widely studied for susceptibility to many cardiovascular diseases such as essential hypertension. However, the mRNA expression of ADRB1 is rarely studied.

Methods: A case-control pilot study with 292 hypertensives and 324 controls was designed to evaluate the role of the Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly, which are commonly studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), in the mRNA levels of ADRB1, in conjunction with its genetic predisposition to essential hypertension.

Dose-dependent effect of fluoride on clinical and subclinical indices of fluorosis in school going children and its mitigation by supply of safe drinking water for 5 years: an Indian study.

Fluorosis is a public health problem in India; to know its prevalence and severity along with its mitigation measures is very important. The present study has been undertaken with the aim to assess the F dose-dependent clinical and subclinical symptoms of fluorosis and reversal of the disease by providing safe drinking water. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in 1934 schoolgoing children, Nalgonda district.

Trends in nutrient intakes, nutritional status, and correlates of undernutrition among rural children below 5 years of age: The National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau Survey 2012.

Background: In spite of several national nutrition intervention programs that have been in operation since the past four decades, undernutrition continues to be an important public health problem in India.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the trends in food and nutrient intakes and nutritional status of children in India below 5 years of age.

Setting And Design: A community-based, cross-sectional study was carried out in ten National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau states by adopting a multistage random sampling procedure.

Influence of socioeconomic aspects on lymphatic filariasis: A case-control study in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Background & Objectives: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a major public health problem in India. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of socioeconomic conditions on LF in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Methods: A survey was carried out from 2004 to 2007 during which, an epidemiological and socioeconomic data were collected and analysed.

Indigenous and tribal peoples' health (The Lancet-Lowitja Institute Global Collaboration): a population study.

Background: International studies of the health of Indigenous and tribal peoples provide important public health insights. Reliable data are required for the development of policy and health services. Previous studies document poorer outcomes for Indigenous peoples compared with benchmark populations, but have been restricted in their coverage of countries or the range of health indicators.

Assessing Differences in Risk Perceptions About Obesity Among "Normal-Weight" and "Overweight" Adolescents--A Qualitative Study.

Objectives: To assess the differences in risk perceptions of overweight/obese and normal-weight adolescents about obesity and associated risk factors.

Design: Qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs).

Settings: Five randomly selected schools from the South Indian city of Hyderabad.